Legal Definitions - juge

A juge is a person who presides over a court of law and makes decisions based on the evidence presented. In French law, a juge is a judge. There are different types of judges in the French legal system, including:

• Juge de paix: An inferior judge who handles minor civil and criminal cases, such as traffic violations.
• Juge d'instruction: A magistrate who conducts preliminary criminal proceedings, such as taking complaints, interrogating parties and witnesses, and formulating charges.

For example, if someone is caught speeding in France, they may appear before a juge de paix who will decide their punishment. If someone is accused of a crime, they may go before a juge d'instruction who will investigate the case and determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.