Gérald Darmanin clarifies the outlines of the penal reform he is calling for

It will not be said that Gérald Darmanin is without follow-through on his ideas. While political observers speculate on the risks of censure of François Bayrou's government on his budget project, the Minister of Justice acts as if he has his whole life ahead of him. Late in the afternoon, after receiving a few journalists at a press briefing, he sent to all the group presidents of the National Assembly, as well as to the various unions of the judicial institution, the first draft of his draft penal reform law. He even found a name for it: the "SURE" law, aimed at ensuring a useful, rapid and effective sanction. "I hope you will appreciate the play on words," said the minister, who intends to present it "in October or November" to the Council of Ministers, after having referred "in September" to the Council of State for an opinion.

As it stands, there aren't many changes or major surprises compared to his initial intentions, which he had already put on paper in a letter sent to all magistrates on May 11. Two and a half months later, and after a wide-ranging consultation, the minister hasn't made much change to his plan. The key measures remain the same: the creation of a guilty plea for criminal cases, the elimination of the requirement to adjust sentences of less than one year, and the generalization of the day fine, which, based on the principle existing in Germany, will be punished by imprisonment in the event of non-payment.

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