Post-PSG Victory Violence: 'The Exemplariness of Punishment is Not the Enemy of the Rule of Law'

A sense of disillusionment is growing among French citizens who feel the justice system is not functioning effectively, particularly in the wake of public disorder following Paris Saint-Germain's victory. The widespread looting, vandalism, and attacks on police officers have shocked the public, but it is the perceived leniency of some judicial responses that has fueled public discontent.

Many citizens are troubled by the disparity between the gravity of the observed behaviors and the sentences handed down. A common point of contention is when individuals apprehended for serious offenses or property damage receive simple suspended sentences, often justified by their lack of prior criminal records. This practice leads many to feel that the system is not delivering adequate justice.

“

When individuals apprehended following aggravated violence or vandalism are sentenced to a simple suspended sentence, many French people feel that something is no longer working.

Magistrate Alexandre Stobinsky, writing for Le Figaro, argues that this public sentiment deserves attention. He suggests that the perceived weakness of penalties erodes the deterrent effect of the law. When punishments are seen as insufficient, they fail to discourage future criminal activity, thereby undermining the state's authority and the rule of law.

“

This feeling deserves to be heard because it evokes the weakening of the deterrent function of punishment.