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In order to react quickly, effectively, and systematically to criminal offences, French Criminal Procedure has created new criminal proceedings over the past 15 years. In the meantime, victims have been granted a real place during the criminal process. However, it is unclear whether victims are confined to claim for compensation or may be considered as private prosecutors. Public prosecutors still play the leading-role, since they have jurisdiction over the choice of criminal response – alternatives to prosecution, penal order, simplified trials, and ordinary trials. Nevertheless, whenever a victim is involved in a case, public prosecutors, judges, and legislator must adapt their ways of doing things.