Darmanin's criminal justice bill rejected in committee

Members of Parliament rejected the criminal justice bill championed by Gérald Darmanin in the Law Committee on Wednesday. The bill was defeated by 18 votes to 16, with the entire left wing voting against it and the National Rally abstaining. This setback comes as the Minister of Justice faces intense criticism following the death of young Lyhanna, with repeated calls for his resignation.

Criminal guilty pleas in turmoil

The bill has crystallized criticism surrounding the criminal plea bargaining system, which is fiercely opposed by lawyers and judges. This mechanism, inspired by existing procedures for misdemeanors, would allow individuals accused of felonies to admit their guilt in exchange for a negotiated sentence, without going through a trial in a jury court. Legal professionals see it as an attack on the principle of a formal trial before a jury court.

This parliamentary setback further weakens the minister's position, forcing him to simultaneously manage the controversy surrounding the Lyhanna case and the growing opposition to his judicial reform. The committee's rejection does not signify the definitive abandonment of the bill, which could still be examined in plenary session, but it demonstrates the political isolation of the Minister of Justice in the face of a united opposition front.