Revolutionary Tribunal (Palais de Justice)

The Revolutionary Tribunal was established on 10 March 1793 by the National Convention, during a period of intense political turmoil in the French Revolution. Its primary purpose was to try and sentence individuals accused of crimes against the revolution, including treason and conspiracy. This court operated within the Palais de Justice in Paris.

The tribunal was a product of the revolutionary atmosphere, aiming to expedite the legal process against enemies of the revolution. The judicial process often involved expedited procedures, where the rights of defendants were limited. This rapid and often ruthless process characterized the Reign of Terror (5 September 1793 - 28 July 1794), particularly under the influence of prominent revolutionary figures such as Maximilien Robespierre.

Judges and juries of the Revolutionary Tribunal were appointed by the National Convention, reflecting the radical and fervent revolutionary values of the time. A guilty verdict in this court almost invariably led to the death penalty, primarily by guillotine. Among its notable victims were Queen Marie Antoinette, executed on 16 October 1793, and Georges Danton, a leading revolutionary figure, executed on 5 April 1794.

The tribunal's operations were marked by a high degree of political motivation. Those brought before the court were often targeted based on their political associations or perceived opposition to the revolutionary government. The tribunal convicted approximately 2,600 individuals, contributing significantly to the climate of fear and repression.

The influence of the Revolutionary Tribunal waned after the fall of Robespierre on 27 July 1794 (in an event known as the Thermidorian Reaction). The power of the tribunal diminished, and its role in the legal system was increasingly scrutinized. Eventually, the tribunal was officially disbanded on 31 May 1795, marking an end to one of the most draconian judicial bodies of the French Revolution.

• The Revolutionary Tribunal was established on 10 March 1793 (primarily to try enemies of the Revolution), and its first presiding judge was Jean-Baptiste Coffinhal, known for his zealous prosecution of royalists.
• This tribunal was infamous for its speed; trials were often held with little evidence and concluded in a matter of days, reflecting the tension and urgency of revolutionary France.
• Approximately 16,000 people were executed by guillotine during the reign of the tribunal, which lasted until 31 May 1795, marking a period of intense political unrest known as the Reign of Terror.
• One of the most notable trials was that of Louis XVI, which established a precedent, showcasing the shift from monarchical justice to a revolutionary legal framework, focusing on the 'public good'.
• The tribunal operated within the Palais de Justice (historical courthouse in Paris), a site that had long been associated with justice, but during the Revolution, it became a symbol of the rapid descent into political violence and repression.