Examining the Jurisprudential Grounds of Pre-Trial Detention with a Comparative Approach in Iranian and French Law
Pre-trial detention, as one of the most severe preventive measures in criminal proceedings, lies at the intersection between maintaining public security and safeguarding individual rights and the presumption of innocence. With the increasing complexity of crimes and the heightened risks associated with releasing the accused prior to judgment, the legitimacy of this institution in both jurisprudence and statutory law has become the subject of growing debate. This study aims to examine the legitimacy of pre-trial detention within Imami jurisprudence and to compare it with the legal systems of Iran and France. The research employs a descriptive–analytical method based on library sources. The findings—through the analysis of Qurʾanic and hadith-based evidence, jurisprudential principles, statutory provisions, and legal doctrine—indicate that pre-trial detention is an exceptional measure governed by the principles of necessity, proportionality, temporal limitation, and judicial supervision. Nevertheless, the French legal system demonstrates a more coherent structure in this regard. Consequently, revising certain provisions of Iranian law is essential to strengthen the rights of the accused and ensure greater conformity with Islamic legal standards and the principles of criminal justice.