Can a minor file a complaint?

Verified 25 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are minor and that you have been victim of a infringement (theft or racket, violence, sexual assault...), you can file a complaint.

You can do that alone or accompanied.

At your request, you can be accompanied by your parents, by the adult of your choice or by a representative of a victim assistance association.

FYI  

Your parents can also file a complaint on your behalf (even without your consent).

The complaint serves to bring to the attention of the courts the facts of which you have been the victim.

You can file a complaint by going to the police or gendarmerie. You can also file a complaint by mail.

On the spot

You must surrender in a police station or a  gendarme of your choice.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Police or gendarmerie services are obliged to register your complaint if you are a victim of an offense.

At the end of your hearing by the police or gendarmerie, you receive a receipt and a copy of your complaint if you request it.

By mail

You can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.

To do this, you must send an email to the court of law of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.

Who shall I contact

Your mail should include the following:

  • Your marital status and full contact information (address and telephone number)
  • Detailed account of the facts, date and place of the offense
  • Name of the alleged perpetrator if known (otherwise, the complaint will be filed against X)
  • Name and address of any witnesses to the offense
  • Description and provisional or definitive estimate of the damage
  • Your proof documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, miscellaneous invoices, findings, etc.

You can use the following mail template:

File a complaint with the public prosecutor

You can send your complaint by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, by simple letter or by letter followed.

You can also file your complaint directly at the courthouse.

In any case, a receipt is given to you as soon as the Public Prosecutor's Office has registered your complaint.

If your complaint is successful and the perpetrator must be tried, you can be a civil party in order to request damages.

They're your legal representatives (parents or guardians) which must become a civil party.

Please note

If your parents are involved in the offense (e.g. mistreatment), a ad hoc administrator is appointed by the court.

This administrator is responsible for defending your interests in court and for bringing a civil action on your behalf.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Children in danger - 119

    A phone number for any child or adolescent victim of violence or anyone concerned about a child's situation that is in danger or at risk of being in danger.

    By telephone

    119 (free and confidential call)

    24/7

    119 does not appear on phone records.

    On www.allo119.gouv.fr

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    • accès

      For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.

      Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.

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