Accusateur public

The function of public accuser, defending society, was established during the

Ancien Régime.^[1]

Elected, as with the other judges of the criminal court, the accuser was responsible for prosecuting offences admitted to the indictment by the grand jury. He was to receive complaints and ensure that court decisions were carried out. Public accusers also took over the administrative role of supervising judicial police officers, justice of the peace and gendarmerie officers.

On 29 September 1791, the French Constituent Assembly decided that "public accusers will have the same costume as judges, with the exception of the feathers, placed around their hats; they will wear medals with the words 'public safety'.^[2]

In each criminal court, the public accuser was responsible for prosecuting the case on behalf of the king, defending his prerogatives.

procureur of the commune, charged with both the investigation and prosecution of crime, gave a speech. (Manuel cooperated with Robespierre responsible for the coordination of the local and the federal police in the department and the sections.)^[5]^[6]

On 10 April, Robespierre resigned the unenviable position of "public accuser".

The decree of 10 March 1793 created the

Thermidorian reaction, his powers were gradually framed and decreased to the benefit of the commissioner of the executive power.^[10]