In September 2010, Lionel Bourgoin, the director of the magistrature of Haiti (EMA) was with Jean François Thony, director of the National School of Magistrates (École nationale de la Magistrature ENM) of Bordeaux, to present the first batch of twenty Haitian judges will be formed during the next ten months.

17 men and 3 women will follow for five months of the courses of theory to Bordeaux followed by five months of training course in jurisdictions of France, before an ultimate period of specific training in Haiti on the ground. This cycle of training must lead them back home, to practice the profession of judge.

Amendo Alexis, a Haitian student judges, trained in France is now sitting behind the judges during hearings. Then he will go to the Instance, will stay with the juvenile judge and will conclude with the office of the investigating judge. On 24 June, this young Haitian of 30-year will leave the city of Auch to go to Bordeaux for graduation and his return to Haiti.

After his graduation, Amendo Alexis really wants to represent the prosecutor (Ministère public), "but in Haiti, the status of prosecution is very precarious. We can be revoked at any time, while in headquarters, the judges have seven-year renewable terms." The young magistrate has decided to do everything to "be a good prosecutor".

After a few weeks to walk the corridors of the court of Auch and a few months spent at the Normal School of Magistrates of Bordeaux, Amendo Alexis evokes what he thinks of the French justice ? "The system of civil law (droit romano-germanique) is the same as ours. French law is much more advanced, however, we are much more repressive in Haiti." Citing as an example the six months of imprisonment with suspension, received by a violent ex-partner last week during an appearance immediately "In Haiti, the prosecution could require three or four years of prison ! The nineteen other students of the ENM of Haiti who came to finish their studies in France and myself are always surprised to hear you ask the suspension with probation for horrible things and see the accused, quietly returns to its home, in all liberty."

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1210-haiti-france-20-future-judges-trained-at-enm-of-bordeaux.html

HL/ HaitiLibre