Finding yourself on the receiving end of a legal charge can be a frustrating and daunting experience. Nobody should have to build their own legal defense, especially when they don’t understand what their charge actually means. Therefore, it’s worth breaking down the very basics when it comes to the law, starting with the difference between criminal and civil law.
What is Civil Law?
For those unfamiliar with the term, civil law is what the average person will likely run into throughout their life. The definition of civil law in the modern day is the avenue of law which deals with non-violent crimes, rather violations of civil law which occur between people or people and organizations. Generally, these violations are minor and occur when someone sues another person or organization for something that has occurred. For example, breaches of contract, negligence resulting in property damage, and defamation are all common examples of civil law.
The Verdict Decider of Civil Law
In the majority of cases, the verdict in a civil lawsuit is determined by the judge who oversees the case. In rare circumstances, it is possible that a jury would be involved in a civil lawsuit, in which case they would be the deciding factor.
What is Criminal Law?
On the other side of things, criminal law comes into play when a person has committed a crime against another party. Specifically, criminal law refers to behavior that is perceived as an offense against society, the state, a person, and more. Common examples include the typical crimes that pop into a person’s head, such as murder, arson, rape, theft, robbery, and more.
The Verdict Decider in Criminal Law
In the majority of situations, a criminal lawsuit will have a jury as the deciding force when it comes to the verdict. A judge will still oversee the entire case as normal, but the jury will deliberate and either come to a unanimous decision (depending on the case) or the charges will be dropped.
How Do Criminal vs. Civil Convictions Differ in Punishment?
Naturally, as one would assume, the punishments for criminal charges are far more severe than those of civil convictions. Punishments for civil violations often look like minor fines and potentially a small amount of jail time for more serious infractions. However, criminal charges often come with fines in the thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, along with sentences in jail that go all the way up to multiple life sentences. This is why those facing criminal charges, in particular, should ensure they have the best legal defense by their side.
The Bottom Line
By learning the difference between criminal and civil charges, anybody can develop a better understanding of the charges they are facing. Work with an accredited criminal or civil defense lawyer who can help you develop your legal defense. By doing so, you can increase your chances of successfully getting your charges dropped or reduced so that you don’t face life-altering repercussions.