32

Observing criminal trials for human trafficking and aggravated pimping elucidates how the pimp is framed in the judicial arena. These hearings provide a stage on which judges intend to prove that the facts fit into a broad category of criminal law. The ambition of assigning the label of pimp to defendants is challenged by the heterogeneity of the situations that are dealt with: Which facts are deemed probative? What information do magistrates use to support their reasoning? Which aspects of incriminated activities raise questions in hearings, and lead to tensions or misunderstandings? Assigning defendants to the category of the pimp leads judges to assess, on the one hand, whether their personality and activities correspond to the category and, on the other hand, whether the relationships they establish within a specific configuration (with the victim, with the criminal network) strengthen the court’s judgement.