FRJB24 PSLL – JUSTICE – “La Nuit du Droit”

The 6th edition of “La Nuit du Droit” is organised on 3 October 2024, on the eve of the 66th anniversary of the French Constitution of 1958. Created in 2017 on the initiative of the President of the Constitutional Council Laurent Fabius, “La Nuit du Droit” is a unique opportunity for everyone to talk to legal professionals without barriers. In 2024, nearly a hundred courts across France will be offering educational and entertaining events. To celebrate “La Nuit du Droit 2024”, the Dunkirk court organised a film debate at Studio 43. The film chosen was a French drama written and directed by Emmanuelle Bercot, released in 2015 : La Tête haute, shot in part at the Dunkirk Court. The hero of the film is an eleven-year-old teenager called Malony. His young mother Séverine, who is irresponsible, drug-addicted and unstable, does not provide a satisfactory emotional and educational framework. Children's judge Florence Blaque placed him in several increasingly restrictive institutions. His disastrous schooling was interrupted, he was prone to violent outbursts that he could not control, and he committed an increasing number of offences. However, the magistrate persists in trying to help him, despite the few results she achieves and despite the often hostile, but sometimes endearing, behaviour of the young boy, who is more than ever attached to his mother and younger brother. At the age of 16, Malony is taken in hand by Yann, a court-appointed educator determined to save him. Protected by this judge who believes in him, he oscillates between progress and relapse, but raises his head to what may be hope for a fulfilled life. Following the screening of the film, the students attended a discussion on the film between the audience (some of whom took part) and people working on the topic : - a member of the Dunkirk court who regularly works on family law issues- juvenile judges - a member of the DPJJ (Department of Judicial Protection for Young People), which is responsible for organising juvenile justice. Its aim is to integrate and educate minors in conflict with the law, as well as protecting minors in danger.- a member of the ASE (Aide Sociale à l'Enfance), a departmental service that takes children into care when a Juvenile Court issues a Provisional Placement Order. Its role is to identify the most suitable placement for the children's needs and to work with the facility in question to establish the conditions under which the children will be cared for.

The students developed their knowledge of the French legal system and how the justice system supports minors.