8. Glossary

Civil action

Action for compensation by a victim of an injury resulting or not from a criminal offence.

Action publique

Action taken in the name of society to suppress a breach of the law, it is undertaken in the name of society since it aims to suppress a disturbance of public order.

Fine

Condemnation to pay a sum of money fixed by law or regulation; payment of a fine is made to the Treasury.

Lump-sum fine

A fine whose payment avoids criminal prosecution.

Contravention

The least serious category of offence, for which the main penalty is a fine of less than 1,500 euros, or 3,000 euros in the case of a repeat offence.

Crime

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