tribunal correctionnel

In French law, a tribunal correctionnel is a criminal court that handles less serious offenses, known as délits. This court is part of the broader French judicial system, which includes various types of tribunals for different legal matters.1

Unlike the juge d'instruction, who conducts pre-trial investigations for more serious crimes, the tribunal correctionnel directly hears and judges cases involving misdemeanors. This system aims to ensure that evidence is presented and witnesses are heard in a structured manner, with protections for the accused. The tribunal correctionnel is distinct from historical bodies like the Revolutionary Tribunal, which was established during the French Revolution for political offenses and became an instrument of the Reign of Terror.23