Investigating judge (France)

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In French criminal law, the investigation phase (instruction) in a criminal proceeding is the procedure during which an investigating judge (juge d'instruction) gathers evidence on the commission of an offense and decides whether to refer the persons charged to the trial court.

The investigating judge is the first instance of investigation. In the second instance (appeals), the investigating chamber of the French courts of appeal have jurisdiction. They rule on appeals of decisions by the investigating judges and of decisions by the liberty and custody judge (Juge des libertés et de la détention).