Stages of the proceedings

Reading of questions and explanations on the deliberation

Before leaving the courtroom for deliberation, the presiding judge reads questions about the accused’s guilt, on which judge, jury and assistant judges must vote. This takes place only if the questions are not identical to those in the committal for trial read at the opening of the hearing.
Then the presiding judge must explain how the deliberation will take place referring to l’article 353 of the Code de procédure pénale.
Finally, he gives the case file to the usher, because the deliberation must be founded on the debates, not on written procedure.