The announcement surprised more than one.
Facing the readers of Le Parisien - Today in France, Eric Dupond-Moretti, the new Minister of Justice, said he wanted the trials to be filmed and broadcast.
“Justice must show itself to the French.
The publicity of debates is a democratic guarantee, ”he maintains.
In the legal world, this unexpected proposition is widely criticized.
Its implementation "before the end of the five-year term", as the minister wishes, however appears far from guaranteed.
At the Ministry of Justice, it is specified that "the reflection is in progress".
"The minister wants to show how justice works to French people who often have an image of it not very consistent with reality," says Place Vendôme.
Concretely, many questions arise, starting with the scope of the project: which audiences would be affected?
Civil or criminal hearings?
Assize or correctional trials?
"These questions are not settled, we admit to the Chancellery.
The work has just been started and the various departments of the ministry entered.
Other questions must be addressed, on respect for private life, the presumption of innocence, the serenity of the debates, budgetary constraints, the methods of storage and archiving… ”
"It is the show justice that we promote"
The site therefore appears titanic.
However, as he himself specified, Eric Dupond-Moretti has virtually no legislative window to exploit by 2022 and the next presidential election.
Such a reform would however require modifying the law of 1881 on the press which prohibits any recording of the hearings (except historical trial under very specific conditions).
"These are empty words, window dressing, sweeps Céline Parisot, the president of the Union Syndicale des Magistrates (USM, majority).
Such a proposal is materially impossible and the minister should first give us the means to do our job properly before making such ridiculous announcements.
Justice deserves to be rendered serenely, but there, it is the show justice that is promoted.
"
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The proposal is also freshly received by a good number of lawyers.
“I share the minister's observation: yes, the French must be brought closer to their justice.
However, by broadcasting the hearings to the general public without support, there is a risk of fueling the penal populism that we say we want to fight ”, pinches Me Henri de Beauregard, lawyer in Paris.
"Justice should not be hidden, but it should not be exhibited either," continues the criminal.
Not to mention that such a project would endanger all those involved in the trial.
"
