French criminal law provides for numerous offences and crimes, which are punished by various penalties depending on their seriousness. See the Roquefeuil practice The following is a non-exhaustive list of some of the most common crimes and their punishment:
- Theft: Theft is the fraudulent taking of property belonging to others. The penalty for simple theft is three years' imprisonment and a fine of €45,000. This penalty may be increased depending on the circumstances, such as if the theft is committed in an organised gang, with the use of weapons or violence, or if it is committed by a civil servant in the exercise of his or her duties.
- Violence: Violence can take many forms, such as assault and battery, threats of violence, or sexual violence. The penalty for violence depends on its severity and circumstances. 45,000 fine, while violence resulting in a total incapacity to work of more than eight days is punishable by five years' imprisonment and a fine of Violence committed in a group, with a weapon or resulting in permanent mutilation or disability is punishable by more severe penalties.
- Drug offences: Drug offences can include possession, sale, manufacture, transport or use of drugs. The penalties for these offences depend on the quantity and nature of the drugs involved. For example, simple possession of cannabis can be punishable by up to one year's imprisonment and a fine of EUR 3 750, while the sale or manufacture of drugs is punishable by up to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine of EUR 7.5 million.
- Fraud: Fraud is the act of deceiving a person in order to extort money or property. The penalty for fraud is five years' imprisonment and a fine of EUR 375 000. This penalty may be increased depending on the amount of the fraud or the vulnerability of the victim.
- Harassment : Harassment can take several forms, such as moral, sexual or discriminatory harassment. The penalty for moral harassment is two years' imprisonment and a fine of €30,000, while sexual harassment is punishable by two years' imprisonment and a fine of €30,000.
It is important to note that these maximum sentences may be accompanied by mitigating or aggravating circumstances, and that judges have some leeway in setting the sentence depending on the seriousness of the offence and the personality of the perpetrator.
- Crimes related to demonstrations: Demonstrations can give rise to offences such as disturbing the peace, insulting an official, participating in an armed gathering or destroying public or private property. The penalties for these offences may vary according to their seriousness and circumstances.
- Driving under the influence of drugs offences: Driving under the influence of drugs is an offence punishable by two years' imprisonment and a fine of EUR 4 500, as well as a licence suspension of up to three years. In the case of accidents causing injury or death, the penalties can be more severe.
- Drug use : The use of drugs is prohibited in France. Possession or use of illegal drugs is punishable by a maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment and a fine of €3,750.
- Drug trafficking: Drug trafficking is a serious offence, punishable by up to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to €7.5 million for international trafficking. The penalties for drug trafficking depend on the quantity and nature of the drugs involved and the seriousness of the offence.
- Theft, swindling : Theft and fraud are offences punishable under the French Criminal Code. The penalties for these offences depend on the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances, such as the amount of damage or the degree of violence used.
- Defamation, insult: Defamation and insult are offences against the honour and reputation of a person. Defamation consists of attacking the honour or reputation of a person by imputing a specific fact to him or her. Insult, on the other hand, consists of insulting words or gestures. The penalties for these offences are a maximum fine of EUR 12 000 for public defamation and EUR 4 500 for public insult. Defamation, insult, insult, denunciation, false testimony, more
- Sexual offences: Sexual offences can take different forms, such as sexual harassment, exhibitionism, rape, sexual assault, etc. 75,000 fine for the least serious sexual offences, to life imprisonment for violence resulting in the death of the victim.
- Intentional violence is an offence punishable under the French Penal Code. It consists of intentionally causing physical or moral violence to another person. Intentional violence can take different forms, such as intentional assault and battery, violence with a weapon, domestic violence, etc. The penalties for intentional violence depend on the seriousness of the crime and the circumstances. They can range from 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 euros in the case of intentional violence resulting in total incapacity to work for more than eight days, to 20 years' imprisonment in the case of intentional violence resulting in permanent mutilation or disability. Similarly, in the event of a repeat offence or if the victim is a vulnerable person (child, elderly person, etc.), the penalties incurred may be increased.
- Unintentional violence is an offence under the French Penal Code. It is defined as violence caused to another person without intent on the part of the person who committed it. Unintentional violence can result from a careless or negligent act, such as driving while drunk, failure to observe safety rules in the context of a professional or sporting activity, or improper handling of a dangerous object. 45,000 fine for unintentional injury resulting in a total incapacity to work of three months or less. If the injury results in a total incapacity to work of more than three months, the penalties are more severe. In the event of the victim's death, the penalties can be up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of €100 000.
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