“My dear man... it is really quite impossible for me to take on your case.... you are missing the most important piece of evidence.... (apart from) the cash to pay my fees,” plate 20 from Les Gens De Justice

Mon cher monsieur, il m'est absolument impossible de plaider votre affaire [...] / N°20

Musée Carnavalet, Histoire de Paris

“- The Court, having weighed the evidence and apportioned the advantage accruing from the dereliction, abrogates the appeal and all similar procedures, discharges the appellant and amends the judgement of the lower Court in respect to the costs of th respondent, with the exception of a forfeiture payment to Advocate Bizotin in respect of the final judgement, and hereby dismisses both parties as aforementioned. - My God, what a verdict..... my lawyer will ask for at least seventy five francs to explain this to me.....,” plate 4 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

“- So even if I admit, between us, that I stole Father Jerome's watch, you won't drop my case? - My dear thief, you really don't understand my position... if there were no offenders there would hardly be any lawyers.... Now that I know you are guilty, I will work on your alibi...,” plate 28 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

Abuse of article 214 of the civil law. “My lady wife, you let me want for everything, you only allow me a miserable pension of three thousand francs, you throw me out of your door like a beggar, and, what is more, you want to drive me away from Paris, exile me, deport me!... No! No! I won't leave France! I won't! I won't!!... Listen, I owe my friend Bertrand 10'000 Fr., it's a gambler's debt, a debt of honor, I owe my cook 525 Fr. and ten francs for my chambers, a total of 10'535 Fr. Let me have a few thousand francs more to take my mind off my domestic worries and, on my word of honor, I won't pester you any longer,” plate 50 from Caricaturana

Art Institute of Chicago

“- Sir, you who are so good, can't you get me small position?.... I am able to furnish you the best references on my honesty.... - You have always remained honest?... But in that case, my worthy man, why the devil have you come to me? You ought to know that I concentrate all my business and all my charities on this highly interesting class of freed convicts! Why don't you go and steal something or at least kill a bit... and once you are out of Toulon-prison, come and see me... I'll be delighted to offer you a helping hand!,” plate 19 from Les Philantropes Du Jour

Art Institute of Chicago

“What a shame this lovely little lady didn't ask me to present her case [in court]... I would love to plead that her husband is a rogue...,” plate 24 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

“- I really gave you a good dressing down... - And I didn't mince matters in my reply.... - We were both excellent... - We were superbe. It's really only in the Palace of Justice that people know how to argue and call each other all kinds of names without really getting angry...,” plate 8 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

The lawyer becomes sick, a last resort when his case is beginning to also look sick, plate 30 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

“- Sue him.....sue him..... That would be a good trick to play on your neighbour... it would eat up all his savings, at least 100 écus.... - Yes but I would also have to eat into my savings and I really have no appetite for that....,” plate 29 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago

A Man Saved Against His Will. “- But I am telling you that I know how to swim and I could have pulled myself out of the water without the help of this gentleman! - That makes no difference.... the law is quite clear... you must pay 25 Francs to your rescuer.... for example, if you had been dead, you would only have had to pay him 15 Francs,” plate 7 from Les Canotiers Parisiens

Art Institute of Chicago

Vous avez perdu votre procès c'est vrai [...] / N°35

Musée Carnavalet, Histoire de Paris

A rather unsatisfied litigant, plate 26 from Les Gens De Justice

Art Institute of Chicago