A French political culture that "winks at promiscuity"

The French indignation at DSK being paraded before the cameras reflect their own narrow prejudicial view. Whatever the fault of the American system, this alleged crime occured in New York, therefore, in accordance to the legal system, it should be tried in New York and follow the American legal system. The French may not like this, but that is the law and they should respect it.

The French papers have a good point regarding the photography allowed when a person has been merely alleged of a crime. However, restricting photography in public would be viewed in the US as blocking the freedoms of speech and of the press. It can counteract the presumption of innocence, though. It's an interesting question and worthy of discussion.

In contrast, the comments regarding a lack of mitigating circumstances for pleading guilty. First, the US system has 51 different criminal codes. Each state has it's own criminal law and then there is the federal system. Louisiana's is, not surprisingly to history students, based on French legal traditions. The rest are based on English Common Law. Though sentencing practices can vary from state to state greatly (Michigan has never had the death penalty; Texas uses it regularly), there is a common tradition of giving those who plead guilty lesser sentences than those who do not.

The Courtroom drama genre comments sound more like American bashing than anything else.