Laccusé

L'accusé, written as l'accusé in French, is the term used in French criminal procedure to designate the person who has been charged with a crime and is facing a court hearing. In everyday usage it refers to the defendant in a criminal case. The status of an accused person can evolve through different stages of the investigation and trial.

In France, the path often begins with investigators identifying a suspect who may be held as a prévenu during police custody or preliminary questioning. If an examining judge determines there is serious and specific evidence, the person may be mis en examen (formally charged with an offense). When the case proceeds to trial, the person stands as l'accusé before the court. The distinction among prévenu, mis en examen, and accusé reflects different procedural phases rather than different guilt determinations.

The French system is largely inquisitorial, with tribunals such as the tribunal correctionnel handling délits (misdemeanors) and the cour d'assises handling crimes. The accused has substantial rights, including the presumption of innocence, the right to be informed of the charges, the right to legal counsel, access to the case file, and the right to present evidence and challenge the prosecution’s case. The proceedings are designed to be fair and public, and the accused may appeal a conviction.

In other jurisdictions, the term the accused refers to the person charged with a crime, though procedural specifics vary. The French use of l'accusé emphasizes the formal role of the defendant within its distinct criminal procedure and terminology.