Examining magistrate

In France, as part of the criminal courts between the investigating courts ( jurisdictions d'instruction ) and the sentencing courts ( jurisdictions de jugement ) is distinguished. Determination courts are the investigating judge ( juge d'instruction ) and the investigation chamber of the Cour d'Appel.

While in Germany the district attorney's criminal investigation leads ( Mistress of the investigation ), this task falls to the investigating judge in France. When crimes ( crimes ), this is absolutely so, for offenses ( délits ) and offenses ( contraventions ) is its optional participation provided.

The activities and powers of the juge d'instruction are therefore not comparable with those of the German investigating judge who - unlike its name suggests - usually not actively determined, but only certain investigative steps of the Prosecutor, upon their request approved ( judge of title).