That’s the way the French legal system works, Sandy.
As I understand it, preliminary charges are laid at the outset of an investigation by an investigating judge, who will then interview witnesses, gather the facts of the case, etc.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the preliminary charges will either be dropped or the accused will be bound over for trial where the evidence collated by the investigating judge will be placed before a jury.
Very different to the English and Scots systems.
Not exactly true. The ‘juge d’instruction” has already conducted an investigation. He has already gathered a certain amount of information that lead him to involve Airbus and AF in this case.
At this point the procedure has 2 consequences:
– AF and Airbus can have access to the prosecutor file (it wasn’t the case before)
– The judge will conduct more inquiries if necessary.
At the end of this process he will have to decide if he send the case to court or not.
FYI there is no jury for such cases but a simple court composed with professional lawyers and judges. Only the crimes (murder, rapes , etc.) are judged by a popular jury.
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