Criminal law

When can I access the criminal file? "Someone lodged a complaint against me. Before my first hearing with the Public Prosecutor's Office, I asked to see the file, but I was refused! Who can have access to this file and when? Alexis, Bellevue As part of the...

When I lend my car to a relative " I want to leave my car with my grandson during my holidays abroad. However, a friend told me that I would still be civilly liable in the event of an accident. Is this true?" Ani, Versoix The law on road traffic includes a section on the civil liability of the owner of a...

Can I check her mailbox? I've just stumbled across my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend's password for her e-mail in a notebook she left at my place after her last visit, which ended in an ugly row. I really want to go and check her emails to make sure she hasn't...

Civil and criminal claims There is a traditional distinction between civil law - which allows a natural or legal person to obtain a financial or material benefit from another person - and criminal law, which aims to punish behaviour that is contrary to an established rule of life in society. At first glance, therefore,...

Is there such a thing as undercover police officers? In action films, we often see police officers using false identities to infiltrate crime scenes and trap suspects. Is this possible in Switzerland? "S, Geneva Swiss law does indeed provide for a range of measures enabling the authorities to...

Poker: are our games legal? "My friends and I like to organise small poker games. We sometimes invite people we know to take part in our games, but some of us claim that this is against the law. Is this true? Philippe The federal law on...

What does walking mean? "We're a walking group of about 20 people. Opinions differ as to which way you should walk on a road with traffic and no pavement. What's the difference? Christiane, Carouge Schoolteachers generally teach small children that they should walk on the left-hand side of the road...

Is it illegal to photograph drug dealers? Is it legal to photograph people carrying out illegal activities in the street and post these images on a social network? What are the risks? JF, Geneva Personal rights are protected by article 28 of the Civil Code, which generally prohibits any infringement of these rights,...

Can you call someone crazy with impunity? When someone is told they are crazy, can they lodge a complaint? If so, how far can the complaint go? Marc, Chavannes According to article 177 of the Criminal Code, anyone who, by word, writing, image, gesture or by any other means, insults a person is punishable by...