Paris – 09.06.2026: After nationwide demonstrations on Monday, where thousands of people in France protested against the role of the judiciary in the Lyhanna case, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to reassess the statute of limitations for crimes against minors. The protests targeted what many citizens perceived as an inadequate handling by the justice system in a case of sexual violence against a minor.
Currently, under French criminal law, the statute of limitations for serious crimes against minors is 20 years, and for particularly serious crimes such as murder or rape, it is 30 years. For less severe offenses, it is often ten years. These periods start from the victim’s 18th birthday, while the time between the offense and reaching adulthood is not counted. This often results in very short time windows for victims to take legal action.
The debate over a possible extension of the statute of limitations is not new. As early as 2017, there were proposals to raise the limitation period for crimes to 20 years and for misdemeanors to six years. The goal was to give victims of violence, especially sexual assaults, more time to report incidents and thereby increase the chances of judicial processing. These proposals also reflected a growing awareness of the long-term psychological consequences of such acts.
Supporters of an extension argue that many victims need years or decades to find the courage to report incidents. The current limitation periods could thus lead to many cases expiring before they can be legally pursued. On the other hand, critics warn of potential restrictions on the principles of the rule of law. A statute of limitations that is too long could complicate the evidence situation over time and impair the rights of the accused. An increased burden on the judiciary is also cited as a consequence.
Prime Minister Lecornu plans to hold discussions in the coming weeks with legal experts, victim protection organizations, and representatives of society. The aim is to develop a compromise that ensures both the protection of victims and the rule of law. Awareness of the psychological long-term effects of violence against minors is also intended to play an important role.
The current discussion highlights how complex the issue of limitation periods is in connection with crimes against minors. The outcomes of the planned consultations could lead to a significant reform of French criminal law and strengthen the rights of victims. Whether and to what extent the limitation periods will actually be extended will be negotiated in political bodies in the coming months.
Sources
- Service Public
- Le Monde