France expands judicial powers for vehicle confiscation

Under the recent ‘Risposte’ law, French judges have gained expanded authority to confiscate vehicles following road offenses, particularly in cases of recidivism involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Vehicle confiscation involves the seizure of the car, which is then either sold to the state or destroyed, meaning the owner receives no financial compensation. Legal expert Maître Jean-Baptiste Le Dall notes that even if a vehicle is registered to another person, such as a relative, judges can still determine true ownership based on factors like insurance payments, maintenance, and regular use.

The new legislation aims to close loopholes that previously allowed drivers to sell their vehicles before appearing in court, a practice common during the months-long delay between an offense and a judicial summons.