Cyril Garcia, 33, Criminal Lawyer and Law Lecturer

Cyril Garcia, 33, Criminal Lawyer and Law Lecturer

Cyril Garcia enrolled in the University Diploma in Road Traffic Law at UPPA in 2020, having recently gained his CAPA (Professional Lawyer’s Certificate). This course is the only one of its kind in France and is open to professionals via e-learning. 

What is the route to becoming a criminal lawyer?

For me, it was a fairly classic one: a Bachelor’s degree in General Law at Châteauroux, which is part of the University of Orléans, followed by a Master’s in Law with a specialisation in Legal Careers and Criminal Science at the University of Poitiers. I openly expressed my desire to become a lawyer from the very first year. I admire the profession for its freedom of speech and responsibility in defending others without prejudice. In 2019, I was admitted to the École du Centre Ouest des Avocats [Centre-West Law School], after passing the Centre Régional de Formation Professionnelle des Avocats (CRFPA) [Regional Law Training Centre] exam. I gained the CAPA a year later and began to think about how I was going to practice this profession. Three months later, I set up my first firm in Bourges. After two years of practice, I decided to train in road traffic law, which is a very specific field of criminal law, to provide real added value to my clients and strengthen my legitimacy in this field, which few lawyers are qualified in. 

Why did you choose the University Diploma in Road Traffic Law at UPPA? 

I looked at all the courses offered by universities and UPPA was one of the few that offered a University Diploma in Road Traffic Law, with the added benefit of being able to study remotely and independently, which allowed me to continue practising as a criminal lawyer. Everything is online: registration, the classes and the final exam. I’ve never been to the UPPA campus, but I have a very positive view of it. The Road Traffic Law course is really interesting and practical, thanks in particular to teachers like Jean-François Changeur, a criminal lawyer specialising in road law with whom I forged close links. I never felt isolated. The students have access tools that facilitate exchanges, including a forum where you can ask questions at any time, a platform to which the classes and videos are uploaded and the ability to communicate with teachers by email. I found the teaching staff very available and I really felt like I was a student in my own right, without travelling anywhere! The exams were in the form of an online multiple-choice questionnaire and I took them on a Saturday because it was easiest to fit into my schedule. The key word in this course is flexibility.

What impact has this degree had on your work as a lawyer? 

It had an immediate impact. I was quickly recognised as a criminal lawyer specialising in road traffic law, which brought me new business. Today, criminal law accounts for 95% of my work, much of it in road traffic law (offences, fines, homicide, etc.). In 2023, I opened a second firm in Châteauroux. This University Diploma really enabled me to stand out and be more alert to procedural flaws, for example. 

What words do you spontaneously associate with UPPA? 

Quality, availability, flexibility.

What advice would you give to a young person starting a course at UPPA?

I have a very positive view of the legal profession and I encourage young people who are passionate about justice and defending others to go down this path. The first year may seem difficult, but you need to stick at it and not be afraid to start again. There’s room for everyone and there’s thousands of ways to practice.  I would also encourage them to meet with professionals in order to make the right choices! 

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