I am a victim of a crime in France: what should I do?

Assault, violence, theft, fraud, harassment, threats: being a victim is unsettling, and the first decisions matter. This page explains, step by step, how to protect your rights, file a complaint, react if nothing happens and obtain compensation.

Need advice now? Barssie Avocats assists victims from the complaint to compensation. +33 7 75 72 74 27, available 24/7.

1. In an emergency

Immediate danger: call 17 (police) or 112. If you cannot speak, send a text message to 114.
Have your injuries recorded: see a doctor and ask for a medical certificate. At the investigators’ request, a forensic medical unit assesses the period of total incapacity for work (ITT), which matters for the rest of the proceedings.
Keep evidence: photos, messages, screenshots, clothing, invoices, names and contact details of witnesses.
Domestic violence: the 3919 helpline is free and anonymous.

2. Filing a complaint

Where: at any police or gendarmerie station, which must accept your complaint. You can also write directly to the public prosecutor of the competent court.
Online: for some offences, especially online fraud, an online complaint can be filed on service-public.fr.
On the day: bring your ID, the medical certificate and your evidence. Ask for a receipt and a copy of your complaint. You may be accompanied by a lawyer. If you do not speak French, you are entitled to an interpreter.

3. Time limits

After a certain time, the offender can no longer be prosecuted (limitation period). As a general rule: 1 year for a petty offence, 6 years for a misdemeanour, 20 years for a serious crime. Special rules apply, in particular to offences against minors. Do not wait: evidence disappears quickly.

4. If your complaint goes nowhere

The prosecutor decides to prosecute, to propose an alternative to prosecution, or to drop the case. If the case is dropped or there is no answer:

Appeal to the principal public prosecutor against the decision to drop the case;
Complaint as a civil party before the investigating judge, which forces a judicial investigation to be opened (for a misdemeanour, after the case has been dropped or three months without a response to your complaint);
Direct summons of the offender before the criminal court, when the facts and the offender are clearly established.

Choosing between these options is strategic: cost, delays, risk of being accused of an abusive procedure. This is where a lawyer is useful.

5. Obtaining compensation

Before the court: by joining the proceedings as a civil party, before or during the hearing, you claim damages. Your lawyer quantifies each type of loss (physical, moral, material, financial) and may request a medical assessment.
The CIVI: for serious harm to the person, the crime victims’ compensation board can compensate you even if the offender is unknown or insolvent. Applications must generally be made within 3 years of the offence, or within one year of the last court decision.
The SARVI: if the convicted offender does not pay you within two months, this service can help you recover the sums awarded, on application within one year of the decision.

6. Getting support

France Victimes, 116 006: free helpline, 7 days a week, for support and guidance.
Legal aid: depending on your income, the State may cover all or part of your legal fees, and for certain serious crimes regardless of income. See fees and legal aid.

What a lawyer does for a victim

Drafts the complaint and gathers evidence so that it is taken seriously.
Assists you during interviews and confrontations.
Follows up with the prosecutor, challenges a decision to drop the case, refers the matter to the investigating judge or summons the offender to court.
Quantifies your losses and argues for compensation at the hearing.
Applies to the CIVI and follows up the recovery of sums awarded.

Let’s discuss your situation. +33 7 75 72 74 27, 24/7, or contact@barssie-avocats.com.

Frequently asked questions

Can the police refuse my complaint? No. Police and gendarmerie stations must accept it. If you encounter difficulties, write directly to the public prosecutor.

Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint? It is not compulsory, but a well-drafted and documented complaint is more likely to succeed, especially for fraud or complex facts.

I am a foreign national or tourist: can I still file a complaint? Yes. You can file a complaint in France whatever your nationality, with an interpreter if needed, and a lawyer can follow the case after you return home.

Can I be compensated if the offender is unknown? Yes, in some cases, through the CIVI, particularly for serious harm to the person.

General information, up to date as of October 2026. It does not replace advice tailored to your situation.