Criminal Lawyer Marseille | Rift Attorneys

Criminal lawyers at RIFT assist both victims of criminal offences and defendants in criminal proceedings. 

Our lawyers, experienced in criminal law, assist their clients in all phases of the proceedings, both at the investigation stage and at the pre-trial stage, from police custody to trial.

In case of emergency, contact our criminal lawyers at the following number :

+33 1 81 69 73 72

Criminal Lawyers in Marseille – Assistance for Victims and Civil Parties

At RIFT, our criminal lawyers in Marseille provide comprehensive legal assistance to victims and civil parties. We work hand in hand with our clients to build the right strategy, aiming both to obtain full compensation for the harm suffered and to ensure a fair sentence for the perpetrator. From the initial filing of a complaint to the final court decision, our Marseille criminal lawyers support you every step of the way, in both civil and criminal proceedings.

Tailored strategy by experienced criminal lawyers in Marseille

From the very first consultation, our criminal lawyers in Marseille will guide you in choosing the most appropriate legal action: filing a complaint with the police, submitting it directly to the public prosecutor...

Evidence collection and case building

Every case requires strong evidence. Our Marseille criminal lawyers assist in gathering the necessary proof, whether through urgent interim proceedings, bailiff’s reports, or requests to access CCTV footage. This proactive approach ensures that your rights are fully protected.

Assistance for filing a complaint

Victims sometimes face difficult or discouraging conditions when attempting to file a complaint at the police station. Our criminal lawyers in Marseille can accompany you during this process to make sure your complaint is correctly recorded. Beyond legal expertise, we provide genuine moral support to help you navigate this challenging experience.

FILING A COMPLAINT

DIRECT SUMMONS

COMPLAINT WITH CIVIL ACTION

ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE POLICE STATION

CONFRONTATION

HEARING

COMPLAINT TO THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

CIVIL ACTION

INDEMNIFICATION

Filing a complaint by victims of crime

Can a police officer or gendarme refuse to take my complaint?

No. The police are obliged to receive your complaint, even if you have gone to a police station other than the one where the offence took place (art. 15-3, C. proc. pén.).

Do I have the right to be accompanied by a lawyer when filing a complaint?

Yes. Since Act No. 2021-1729 on confidence in the judiciary, which came into force on 24 December 2021, the Code of Criminal Procedure expressly provides for the possibility of the victim being accompanied at "all stages of the investigation [...] by his or her legal representative and by the adult of his or her choice, including by a lawyer" (Art. 10-4, C. proc. pén.).

What can I do if my complaint is dismissed?

The fact that a complaint has been dropped does not mean that you no longer have any recourse. It is therefore possible, even after a complaint has been dismissed, either to bring a case directly before a criminal court by means of a direct summons, or to bring a civil action before an investigating court. You can also bypass the criminal court and take direct action before a civil court to claim damages.

Criminal defence of defendants by our criminal lawyers

Criminal defence lies at the very core of our practice and commitment. At RIFT, our criminal lawyers provide tailored and strategic assistance to defendants facing both serious criminal charges and misdemeanour offences. From the very first stages of the proceedings - including police custody, interrogations and preliminary hearings - our team ensures that your rights are fully respected and that every procedural safeguard is upheld.

We stand by our clients throughout the entire criminal process: from investigation to trial, and, where necessary, during appeals. Our lawyers carefully analyse the evidence, challenge procedural irregularities, and develop the most effective defence strategy to secure the best possible outcome, whether that means acquittal, reduced charges, or a lighter sentence.

Beyond the trial phase, our firm also intervenes in sentence adjustments and post-c

The tracking down of procedural errors by our criminal lawyers

In every case entrusted to RIFT, our criminal lawyers conduct a meticulous review of the entire procedure to identify any errors or irregularities that could compromise the validity of the prosecution. Criminal proceedings are strictly governed by procedural rules, and even the slightest breach - whether in the gathering of evidence, the conduct of a police investigation, or the respect of a defendant’s rights - can be decisive.

Our role is to scrutinise each step: the lawfulness of an arrest or police custody, the conditions under which searches and seizures were carried out, the admissibility of statements or confessions, and the respect of the fundamental rights of the defence. Where irregularities are detected, our lawyers raise them forcefully before the court, as they may lead to the exclusion of evidence, the annulment of investigative acts, or even the dismissal of the entire case.

This technical defence requires both expertise and precision. By combining legal knowledge with a thorough examination of the facts, our lawyers ensure that no violation of procedural safeguards goes unchallenged. For our clients, this rigorous approach can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal, or between a heavy sentence and a reduced penalty.

"Form is the sworn enemy of arbitrariness, the twin sister of liberty " - Rudolf Von Jhering

Assistance from our criminal lawyers in the event of police custody

A. The appointment of a lawyer in police custody

From the outset of police custody, the suspect may request the assistance of a lawyer of his or her choice. If the person in custody does not know a lawyer, he or she may ask for one to be appointed ex officio (C. proc. pén., art. 63-3-1, para. 1).

If the person concerned requests a court-appointed lawyer, the President of the Bar is informed by all means and without delay (C. proc. pén., art. 63-3-1, para. 2). It is the President of the Bar or his delegate who will then appoint a lawyer for the person in custody.

In addition, the lawyer may also be appointed by the relatives of the person in custody. In this case, however, the appointment must be confirmed by the detainee himself (C. proc. pén., art. 63-3-1, para. 3).

Once appointed, the lawyer is informed by a judicial police officer or by a judicial police officer of the nature and presumed date of the criminal offence (C. proc. pén., art. 63-3-1, para 4).

B. Confidential interviews with the appointed lawyer

Once appointed, the lawyer can then interview his client. This interview takes place, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure :

confidentially (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4, para. 1),

for 30 minutes (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4, para. 2).

At the end of each interview the lawyer may make written observations which are placed in the file and sent to the prosecutor (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-3, para. 3).

Thereafter, the lawyer may meet with his client again at the beginning of each extension of custody, under the same conditions (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4, para. 3).

C. The lawyer during hearings and confrontations

The presence of the lawyer during hearings and confrontations

In addition to the confidential 30-minute interview mentioned above, the person in custody may also request the assistance of a criminal lawyer during hearings by the investigators and during confrontations with any witnesses or victims (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-2, para. 1).

If the client decides to be assisted by a lawyer during these hearings and confrontations, the first hearing, except if it concerns only elements of identity, may not begin without the presence of the lawyer before the expiry of a waiting period (art. 63-4-2, para. 1):

of 2 hours,

from the notification sent by the investigation service to the lawyer.

On the other hand, after the expiry of this two-hour waiting period, the investigators are no longer obliged to wait for the presence of the lawyer before beginning the hearings and confrontations. Once the lawyer has been appointed, the hearing or confrontation may, however, be interrupted if it has already begun, at the request of the person in police custody, to allow time for the interview provided for in Article 63-4 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to take place and for the appointed lawyer to acquaint himself with the documents provided for in Article 63-4-1 (C. proc. pén., Art. 63-4-2, para. 2).

The role of the lawyer during hearings or confrontations

During hearings or confrontations, the lawyer's role is to ensure that the rights of the person in custody and the rules of criminal procedure are fully respected. The lawyer may of course take notes during the hearing or confrontation (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-2, para. 1).

At the end of each hearing or confrontation, the lawyer may also ask questions. The judicial police officer or agent may, however, refuse to do so if he or she considers that such questions are likely to prejudice the proper conduct of the investigation. In this case, a note of this refusal is made in the record (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-3, para. 2). 

At the end of the hearing or confrontation, the lawyer must also ensure that the record is exactly consistent with what was said and that no wording, addition or omission can harm the client's interests.

The lawyer may also make written observations, which will be placed in the procedural file. He may also send these written observations directly to the public prosecutor (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-3, para. 3).

D. Access to part of the file

When appointed, the lawyer of the person placed in police custody may consult the following documents (C. proc. pén., art. 63-4-1, para. 1):

• The report of the notification of placement in police custody and the rights attached to it;

• The medical certificate;

• And the minutes of the hearing of the person in custody.

In case of emergency, contact our criminal lawyers at the following number :

+33 1 81 69 73 72

Our law firm is established in Marseille and Paris, both located close to the Courts.

Our team of criminal lawyers in Marseille handles cases throughout the city and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, including Aix-en-Provence, Nîmes, Avignon, Digne-les-Bains, Nice or Toulon. With strong local experience, we provide swift and effective assistance to clients facing criminal proceedings of any kind.

We are equally present in the capital: our criminal lawyers in Paris appear before the Paris Courts and represent clients in sensitive and complex cases.

Beyond Marseille and Paris, our criminal defence team intervenes throughout France, in cases of delinquency, organised crime, and serious criminal matters. We also represent clients in Overseas France, particularly in Martinique and Guadeloupe, ensuring that the same level of expertise and commitment is available wherever justice is sought.

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Page published on 19th september 2025

Criminal defence Marseille

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