Criminal Lawyer in France 

By Jérôme Navy, criminal lawyer at the Paris Bar

French criminal lawyers for international clients 

French criminal procedure can be difficult to understand for a foreign client. The vocabulary, deadlines, procedural choices and court hearings may be unfamiliar, especially when the client does not live in France or does not speak French.

Our role is to make the situation clear and manageable.

We assist clients who are:

• summoned by the French police or gendarmerie;

• placed in police custody in France;

• questioned as suspects or witnesses;

• prosecuted before a French criminal court;

• under investigation by an investigating judge;

• subject to judicial supervision or pre-trial detention;

• affected by a criminal seizure or freezing order;

• accused of business, tax, customs or financial offences;

• victims of a criminal offence committed in France;

• foreign lawyers looking for French local counsel.

We can intervene in Paris, Marseille and throughout France.

Criminal proceedings before French courts 

We represent clients before French criminal courts, including criminal courts for misdemeanours and serious criminal courts for felonies.

Our work may include:

• reviewing the criminal file;

• analysing police reports and witness statements;

• identifying procedural irregularities;

• preparing the client’s statements;

• collecting evidence and supporting documents;

• preparing written submissions;

• representing the client at hearings;

• pleading before the court;

• advising on appeal options.

Depending on the case, the defence strategy may consist of challenging the facts, disputing the legal classification of the offence, contesting the evidence, seeking an acquittal, negotiating a procedural outcome or arguing for a proportionate sentence.

Representation before an investigating judge proceedings anywhere in France

In serious or complex cases, a judicial investigation may be opened in France. The case is then handled by an investigating judge.

This stage may involve formal questioning, confrontations, expert reports, requests for investigative measures, procedural applications, judicial supervision or pre-trial detention.

RIFT assists foreign clients during judicial investigations by:

• explaining the role of the investigating judge;

• preparing questioning and confrontations;

• reviewing the criminal file;

• filing requests for investigative acts;

• challenging procedural irregularities;

• preparing applications for release;

• coordinating with foreign lawyers or family members when needed.

Our objective is to protect the client’s rights and build a coherent defence strategy throughout the investigation.

Business criminal law in France

We also assist companies, directors, executives, shareholders and foreign counsel in business criminal law matters.

These cases may involve allegations of:

• fraud;

• breach of trust;

• misuse of corporate assets;

• forgery and use of forged documents;

• money laundering;

• corruption;

• unlawful taking of interests;

• tax fraud;

• customs offences;

• concealed work;

• offences connected with corporate management.

Business criminal cases often have consequences beyond the criminal proceedings themselves: reputational risk, financial exposure, regulatory consequences, tax implications, asset seizures and civil claims.

RIFT provides strategic defence in these matters and can work alongside foreign lawyers, accountants, auditors and other advisers.

Criminal asset seizures and confiscation in France

French criminal proceedings may involve asset seizures at an early stage of the case, sometimes before any final conviction.

These measures may affect:

• bank accounts;

• real estate;

• vehicles;

• company assets;

• receivables;

• shares;

• crypto-assets;

• business-related funds.

A seizure can seriously affect a person’s financial situation or a company’s ability to operate.

RIFT assists clients in challenging criminal seizures, analysing the legal basis of the measure, assessing proportionality and preparing the appropriate procedural remedies.

Customs criminal law in France 

RIFT also assists clients in customs criminal matters, including import-export issues, customs seizures, undeclared goods, customs duties, VAT on imports, financial flows and international trade-related offences.

Customs cases in France may lead to substantial fines, confiscations, criminal prosecution and immediate commercial consequences.

When appropriate, we work with trusted customs law partners in order to combine criminal defence strategy with technical customs expertise.

Assistance to victims of criminal offences in France 

RIFT also assists foreign victims of criminal offences committed in France.

We can help with:

• filing a criminal complaint;

• preparing a civil party claim;

• following the investigation;

• requesting investigative measures;

• preparing the court hearing;

• assessing damages;

• seeking compensation before the French court.

Our role is to ensure that the victim understands the French procedure and that their claim is presented clearly and effectively.

Assistance to Local counsel for foreign lawyers of criminal offences in France 

Foreign lawyers regularly need a French criminal lawyer to assist with proceedings taking place in France.

RIFT can act as local counsel for foreign law firms and assist with:

• explaining French criminal procedure;

• communicating with French authorities;

• attending police interviews or court hearings;

• reviewing French procedural documents;

• coordinating defence strategy;

• preparing French filings;

• advising on French criminal law risks;

• assisting clients who do not reside in France.

We understand the need for clear communication, responsiveness and strategic coordination when several jurisdictions are involved.

Why choose our firm? 

French criminal proceedings require both technical precision and practical judgment. A foreign client needs more than a translation of the procedure: they need a lawyer who can explain the real risks, identify the available options and act effectively before French authorities.

RIFT offers:

• criminal defence representation in France;

• English-speaking legal assistance;

• offices in Paris and Marseille;

• intervention throughout France;

• experience in general and business criminal law;

• assistance in tax, customs, asset seizure and defamation matters;

• cooperation with foreign lawyers and advisers;

• clear communication with clients based abroad.

Our approach is practical, strategic and client-focused.

Legal fees and success fees 

Our fees are discussed transparently with the client before any work is carried out.

Depending on the nature of the case, the urgency of the matter and the expected scope of our intervention, our fees may be based on an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a combination of both.

In appropriate cases, we may also agree on a success fee. This means that part of the lawyer’s remuneration may depend on the outcome obtained for the client, in addition to a fixed fee or hourly-based fee.

Success fees are always agreed in advance and set out in a written fee agreement, in accordance with French professional rules. French law does not allow lawyers to be paid only on a “no win, no fee” basis, but it does allow a complementary success fee when combined with another form of remuneration.

Before starting our work, we explain the proposed fee structure clearly, so that the client understands the expected costs, the possible additional fees and the financial terms of our intervention.

Contact a criminal lawyer in France

If you are involved in criminal proceedings in France, or if you are a foreign lawyer looking for French local counsel, you can contact RIFT for an initial discussion.

We can assist in urgent criminal matters, ongoing investigations, court proceedings, asset seizures, business criminal cases, tax and customs matters, defamation cases and victim representation.