The French Criminal Justice System is a civil law system that emphasizes written laws and codes. It is primarily governed by the Code pénal and the Code de procédure pénale. The system includes various stages, such as investigation, trial, and appeal, with a focus on the role of judges and prosecutors. In France, criminal cases are typically handled by tribunaux correctionnels for misdemeanors and cour d'assises for serious crimes. The system aims to ensure fairness and justice, with rights for defendants, including legal representation and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.