Lyhanna case: The High Council of the Judiciary denounces the discrediting of the judiciary

The High Council of the Judiciary spoke out on Tuesday, June 9, to denounce the discrediting of thousands of magistrates and to deplore the exploitation of the Lyhanna case. This reaction comes as Sébastien Lecornu convenes several ministers at Matignon to define new measures, following demonstrations denouncing the failings of the judicial system. The death of this 11-year-old schoolgirl, whose body was found on June 4, has highlighted what Gérald Darmanin himself described as serious dysfunctions. The main suspect, Jérôme Barella, has been imprisoned in a jail in the south of France where he will be held in solitary confinement.

A lawsuit against the state is being prepared.

The case has taken on a new dimension with the announcement that a mother will be filing a lawsuit against the state. Her underage daughter had previously filed a rape complaint against Jérôme B., but the suspect was not prosecuted despite this legal action. This new complaint highlights the flaws in the judicial system that allowed the accused to remain free. The question of judicial responsibility has once again become central to the public debate.

The discipline of the magistrates in question

The High Council of the Judiciary has been imposing more sanctions on judges who commit misconduct since 2020, but the proportionality of the penalties is a subject of debate. The Minister of Justice is currently considering how to tailor sanctions to the severity of the offenses committed. Questions are being raised about the disciplinary system's ability to meet societal expectations in the face of judicial errors with dramatic consequences.