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The index35 guides

French fines, complaints and courts: every English guide to contest and defend yourself

By the AlphaDeep legal editorial teamPublished Drafted with AI assistance, references last checked: our method

An ordinary French contravention notice is generally contested within 45 days of recording or sending the notice (Code of Criminal Procedure, 529-1 and 529-2). Public defamation normally has a 3-month limitation period; some discriminatory defamation has a 1-year period, and procedural acts can interrupt it (1881 law, 65 and 65-3). This index groups our guides on fines, complaints, criminal records and civil cases.

Julie by AlphaDeep is an AI legal assistant for French law: it researches official references to help answer your questions (Légifrance, case law, service-public), analyses your documents and drafts your letters, for individuals and professionals alike.

General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.

Fine, licence, carte grise: what do you pay and how do you contest?

Fine notices, increased fines, licence points, drug tests, the cost of a carte grise.

Complaint, police, online harm: which rights do you have?

Filing a complaint, at the police or by letter to the prosecutor, and following it up, voluntary interview, police custody, cyberbullying, defamation, image and identity.

Criminal record: how do you see it or have an entry excluded?

Bulletin no. 3, and the request to exclude an entry from bulletin no. 2.

Civil steps and court cases: how do you act yourself?

Time limits, letters, evidence, witness statements, interim proceedings (référé), court costs and article 700, small claims and foreign judgments.

Choosing the right professional, paying for them, settling a dispute with them.

Administration, health, data: how do you get a document or challenge a decision?

Appeals against a decision (recours gracieux), administrative documents, medical records, medical accidents, rights over your data.

Which official sources support this introduction?

  1. Code of Criminal Procedure, articles 529 to 530-1 (fixed fines)
  2. Law of 29 July 1881, articles 65 and 65-3 (time limits)