The exact role of educational probation
The French période de mise à l’épreuve éducative, usually shortened to PMEE, is part of criminal proceedings. Guilt has already been established, but the court postpones sentencing so that it has current information about the child’s circumstances and progress.
The judgment normally lists a sentencing hearing six to nine months after the finding of guilt. Supervision remains under the juvenile judge’s control, and the child must be given a date for implementation of the educational measures at the end of the first hearing.
Measures that may apply during the period
Depending on the case, the court may order a medical or psychological expert assessment, a judicial educational investigation, a provisional judicial educational measure or, where their separate statutory tests are met, judicial supervision or electronically monitored house arrest. These measures are neither automatic nor interchangeable.
A provisional measure ends on the date stated in the order and no later than the sentencing judgment. Before then, the juvenile judge may impose, vary or discharge it, including on an application by the child or counsel, when new circumstances justify a change.
What educational supervision records
Educational appointments provide evidence of concrete developments: attendance, education or training, access to healthcare, family circumstances, plans for work or study, compliance with obligations and any reparation steps. The PMEE does not reopen guilt; it informs the later sentencing decision.
One incident should not obscure the entire period, just as one certificate does not prove lasting progress. A dated chronology can connect each difficulty, the response to it and each improvement with the document that supports it.
Responding promptly to a difficulty
A missed appointment, change of address, interruption in education or difficulty accessing treatment should be reported promptly to the educational service and counsel. Explain what happened, retain any supporting record and propose a practical next step so that the file does not record only a failure to comply.
A breach of judicial supervision or electronically monitored house arrest can have more serious consequences under the specific statutory conditions. Any summons concerning an alleged breach should therefore be sent to counsel immediately with the order setting out the relevant obligations.
Preparing for the sentencing hearing
First read the guilt judgment, the hearing date and every current obligation. Then gather proof of attended appointments, education or training, activities, relevant healthcare steps, reparation efforts and messages showing how any problem was addressed.
Arrange the material by date and help the child explain the period in plain language: what was understood, what changed, what remains difficult and what realistic plan exists for the coming months. The documents should support that account, not replace it.
Discuss your situation
You can send the firm the essential facts, relevant dates and any known deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is French educational probation the same as an AEMO child-protection order?
No. A PMEE is a criminal-procedure stage following a finding of guilt. AEMO is a civil child-protection measure based on a finding of danger. Both may sometimes exist at the same time, but their legal basis, decisions and purposes remain separate.
Can a provisional measure be changed before sentencing?
Yes. During the PMEE, the juvenile judge may impose, vary or discharge a provisional measure as the circumstances develop, on the judge’s own initiative, on an application by the child or counsel, or at the prosecutor’s request. The application should identify the change and provide supporting material.