Eric Dupond-Moretti calls for a firm judicial response, including for parents

The Keeper of the Seals Eric Dupond-Moretti detailed in a circular on Friday June 30 the criminal response “fast, firm and systematic” he wanted against the perpetrators of urban violence after Nahel’s death, including against minors and their parents. “The extent of the abuses committed for several days in many cities of the national territory calls for an organization which allows to bring an efficient treatment of the procedures initiated on these facts”announces the Minister in this circular addressed to the prosecution.

He recalls the possibility of checking identities and vehicles, even in the absence of suspicious behavior, to search for weapons, explosives or other products allowing for example the preparation of Molotov cocktails. For the defendants who would not be judged immediately, it is requested – “subject to the necessary individualization of the sentence” – to consider, for the most serious acts, security measures such as continued detention or a ban on going to the sites of the demonstrations.

In front of the media, the Minister of Justice also put pressure on Snapchat, a popular application among young people. “I ask the public prosecutor to seize Snapchat-type operators, who are the vectors between young people allowing them to exchange the meeting place, the place, in reality, of the abuses to come”, said the minister. He also recalled that the authorities had the possibility of finding the identity of Internet users broadcasting videos, via judicial requisitions.

“Parental Responsibility”

For minors, “when the nature of the facts justifies it”, it should be considered, while waiting for the trial hearing, to place the young people in a home or to pronounce bans on going out after a certain time. Finally, the circular insists, as the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron did earlier in the day, on the “responsibility of parents”.

It is recalled that it is possible to use the police to summon parents who do not appear when their child is summoned to court, or to condemn them directly to a fine or a period of parental responsibility. . It is also underlined that the parents are civilly responsible for the offenses committed by their children, and therefore for the damages to be paid. “When circumstances warrant”also says the circular, the parents themselves may be prosecuted in the event of “serious shortcomings” to their legal obligations.