Criminal law

The level crossing barriers on my daily commute had just started to come down, but as I was running late, I sped up to carry on my journey. An officer stopped me on the other side and told me I’d been fined. Yet I hadn’t seen any train, the track was clear, and I’d crossed in a matter of seconds….

Your latest column really struck a chord with me. A few days ago, a bouncer at a nightclub refused to let me in because I’d left my ID card at home, even though I had a photo of it on my phone. The same thing had happened to me in Montreux during the festival, even though, at 50, you wouldn’t expect…

As I got off the tram at La Jonction, two police officers asked to see my ID without a word of explanation. I asked what I was being accused of, but they simply repeated that they needed to know my identity. I eventually complied, feeling a bit put out at being treated like a suspect when I was just heading home quietly from work. Do the police have the…

A «residents only» no-entry sign has just been put up on a path leading to the park where I usually go for a run every day. I usually drive there and park in a space reserved for park visitors before putting on my trainers. As I don’t live in the neighbourhood, I wonder…

I was out for a drive the other day in a charming village in the canton of Vaud when I spotted a shop selling local produce. As there weren’t many people around, I parked my car on the pavement for a few minutes while I popped in to buy a little souvenir. When I came back, I found myself face to face with a man who…

Last March, I parked for a few minutes in a public car park to run an urgent errand. As I'm used to paying for my parking via the mobile application, I tried to register my arrival, but a malfunction prevented me from doing so. When I quickly returned to my vehicle, a fine had already been issued. However, I can demonstrate, with photos and...

I know a politician who has a sharp tongue before an election. He thinks he can say whatever he wants without limit. His favourite saying is: «I say out loud what people are thinking». In my opinion, his words go too far. Can he really express himself with impunity? M., Vernier Freedom of expression? Yes,...

My little boy is full of extravagant ideas. I'm very impressed with him. However, I'm also very worried because he doesn't know his limits and I'm afraid that his creativity could get him into trouble. A friend recently told me that the criminal law on minors had changed, but I didn't quite understand the changes and...

Like last week's reader, my return from holiday was a bit eventful, as I got into a tussle at boarding with another passenger who told me I'd broken his watch. He took my name and promised me legal action. What can I expect and where? G, Geneva...