In addition to a review of some of the historical antecedents of the French political and criminal justice systems, the overview explains the organization and administration of the criminal justice system; the various roles of practitioners are described; the legal process is examined; and some critical issues facing the system are assessed. Although France is an industrially prosperous country, instability has characterized its political history over the past 200 years. This is partially due to the French tendency to insist on the uncompromising implementation of pure and rational political ideology. This has undermined any attempts to resolve disputes through negotiation. A central feature of French political ideology since the Enlightenment has been the commitment to a political system that ensures liberty for all. The government, however, tends to impose an excessive amount of authority on the citizenry to ensure that freedom is preserved. This juxtaposition of liberty and authority significantly impacts the justice system. The French model of justice demonstrates the inquisitorial style of the Romano-Germanic law in contrast to the common law. From the examining magistrate at the preliminary investigation to the trial judge and the sentencing judge, the judiciary has been rigidly trained to ensure that justice is properly and effectively administered. A large, centralized bureaucracy dominates the justice system while maintaining a commitment to democratic principles. 4 organizational figures