Lyhanna murder prompts French magistrates protest over justice reforms

On 29 June 2026, dozens of magistrates and lawyers assembled on the steps of the Saint‑Étienne courthouse to denounce proposed criminal‑justice reforms, including the "Sure" law. They criticized Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin for shifting blame onto judges and highlighted the workload in the city – 45,000 criminal procedures are processed each year by just 12 magistrates.

The protest was triggered by the case of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna, who was raped and murdered earlier in the year. The incident has become a rallying point for critics who argue that the French justice system is overloaded and dysfunctional. Opinion pieces echo the magistrates’ concerns, describing the system as "tout un système qui dysfonctionne" and calling for better resources, training, and accountability.

Lawyer Nathalie Tomasini, author of a book on the topic, adds that insufficient staffing, contested expert reports, and a lack of disciplinary measures further erode public confidence in the judiciary.