Criminal Law
Civil Law
Parties Involved
Purposes & Outcomes
Standard of Proof
Process
Criminal Law deals with crimes and legal punishments for individuals who commit them. Civil Law, on the other hand, deals with disputes between individuals and/or organizations, typically involving claims for damages or specific performance.
In Criminal Law, the parties involved are the prosecutor (representing the government) and the defendant (the individual accused of committing a crime). In Civil Law, the parties involved are the plaintiff (the party initiating the lawsuit) and the defendant (the party being sued).
The purpose of Criminal Law is to punish individuals who have committed crimes, maintain public order, and protect society. The outcomes in Criminal Law include conviction, imprisonment, fines, probation, or other penalties. In Civil Law, the purpose is to resolve disputes between parties and provide remedies such as compensatory damages, injunctions, or specific performance. The outcomes in Civil Law can include a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, a dismissal of the case, or a settlement between the parties.
The standard of proof in Criminal Law is "beyond a reasonable doubt," which means that the evidence must be strong enough to convince a jury or judge that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged. In Civil Law, the standard of proof is typically "preponderance of evidence," which means that the evidence must show that it is more likely than not that the plaintiff's claims are true.
The process in Criminal Law involves the arrest of the defendant, the filing of charges, a trial before a judge or jury, and a verdict. In Civil Law, the process involves the filing of a complaint, the exchange of information between the parties (discovery), pre-trial motions, a trial before a judge or jury, and a judgment.