How to obtain a copy of a criminal justice decision (judgment, judgment)?
Verified 14 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
Additional cases ?
It is possible to obtain a copy of a court decision. You can request it at graft of the court that issued the decision. We explain how to do it.
The rules depend on your situation (party to the trial, heir, entitled to a party, third party):
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You are a party to the lawsuit, heir or successor in title to a party
Any party to the trial, heir or right holder of a deceased party may request a copy of the decision rendered.
If you were represented by lawyerHowever, he has received a copy of the decision, which he can share with you.
You can also request it at the Registry concerned.
Who shall I contact
You're not a party to the trial
If you're not a party to the trial, you can ask a simple copy of a criminal judgment. It should not be the subject of a call and must have been returned publicly, following a public debate.
In some cases, your application is subject to authorization. You must present it to the public prosecutor of the court or to the attorney general of the court of appeal. By reasoned decision, they may hide certain elements of the decision.
The elements that are hidden are those that could undermine the security or privacy of the individuals named in the decision.
In the following cases, you must provide proof of legitimate reason and get the authorization of the public prosecutor or of the public prosecutor:
- Non-final decision (Remedies have not expired)
- Decision of an investigating judge
- Decision of a judge of the application of sentences (responsible for the follow-up of the convicted person)
- Decision of a juvenile judge.
The request for a copy shall be refused in the following cases:
- Amnesty, rehabilitation or review of trial
- Conviction prescribed
- Request for copy made with intent to harm
- Request for improper copying.
When you have been refused a copy request, you can form a appeal in front of president of the investigation chamber in the 2 months of the notification.
The parties may request a simple copy of the decision rendered.
Only there civil party may request a enforceable copy. It makes it possible to proceed to forced execution of the decision by a commissioner of justice.
One third party can get only the simple copy a public criminal decision.
The decision pronounced without the public shall be available only to the parties to the proceedings.
The request for a copy of the decision must be sent at the Registry of the court that made it.
The request can be made using the cerfa form n°12823 or on free paper, sent by letter or registered mail.
Request for a copy of a criminal justice decision
After 30 years, the decisions are transmitted to the departmental archives, to whom you must send your request for a copy.
Find an archive service that welcomes the public
FYI
The decisions of over 75 years old are communicable to any person. Information concerning minors may be communicated after a period of 100 years. In case of death of the parties, that time limit shall be 25 years from the death of the last party.
In case of refusal or if the Registry does not respond to the request in the 2 months from the request, you can enter the president of the court by query.
Who shall I contact
It shall make its decision by prescription reasoned.
You can do appeal of the decision of the President within 15 days.
The issuance of a copy of the decision is free of charge.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Administrative information by phone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Department of Justice.
Request for enforceable copy
Request for a copy of an old judgment
Request for a copy of a civil judgment
Issuance of a copy of a criminal judgment
Issuance of a copy of a public judgment
Issuance of a public judgment to a third party
Issuance of an extract of judgment
Tariff copy criminal decisions
Copy to third parties
Obfuscation of decisions (art L 111-13)