Difference between criminal law and civil law?

Answer 1

Quite simply, criminal law deals with violations of statutory crime and its punishment, civil law deals with non-criminal things such as contracts/business, and things such as divorce, etc. You can be charged under both criminal and civil proceedings though. A perfect example is OJ Simpson being aquitted of criminal charges but being found guilty in civil proceedings. Probably the biggest difference between the two is what is called "BURDEN OF PROOF"

In criminal proceedings the burden is "BEYOND ALL REASONABLE DOUBT" for someone to be convicted. This means that the evidence points substantially towards guilt and there is little to no question of guilt. For a jury in this case you would need everyone in agreement or the case is a mistrial. Unaminity is the key.

In civil proceedings all that is required is "preponderance of evidence" which means that if it is found that it was more likely than not that an incident occured then you can be convicted. This kind of proceeding is really a "who has the best evidence" type of case. Only a majority of jury members decision is needed in this case.

ANSWER 2

1. Criminal Law cases must prove the person's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, whilst civil cases must be proved on the balance of probability

2. The main difference however is who the law is aimed at.

Theoretically criminal law is a considered to be harming all members of society. Consequently, the victim of the criminal case is all of society; hence the case is brought on behalf of the police and prosecution on behalf of society. In contrast to this, civil/private law, the offence is committed against the individual :)

Answer 2

Civil law involves a private lawsuit between two or more parties.

Criminal matters involve a matter between the state or federal government and a citizen or corporation who has been accused of committing an act that has been classified as a crime by statute.

Answer 3

There are different definitions, depending on the country (jurisdiction) and the context. However, the following is usually true:

Civil Law is law governing interaction between people. This is easiest to understand when compared with Criminal Law. For instance, if you were in a car accident and the State prosecuted you for dangerous driving, that would be Criminal Law (the State is prosecuting) but if the other driver sued you for damages, that would be a Civil Law case.


Civil Law also covers things such as marriage and divorce, business contracts (at least in some jurisdictions) and so forth.

Answer 4

Criminal law deals with wrongs that are considered as serious as to be an offence against the whole community, and for this reason they are prosecuted in the name of the Queen or state. Criminal Law is also designed to prevent citizens from deliberately harming each other, and involves actions that have been declared illegal by the state such as; murder, theft, assault, etc. In a criminal case, the State or Federal Government brings the defendant to trial, and the judgment usually results in a fine or jail time and sometime both.

Civil law is when a person has committed a crime against another person or persons, such as, failing to follow a contract or entering the owner's property without permission or neighbours fighting over who owns a fence and it also covers road accidents.Civil offences are usually punished by fines. For example, one person will claim that the other person's actions caused him harm, and file a civil suit seeking compensation for the damage caused.

In most cases or situations, criminal offenses can be more serious.

Answer 5

Criminal law applies where a breach of the laws of the land have occured and the state (police) will mount the prosicution such as theft, murder, rape, drugs, smuggling, tax etc.

Civil law applies in cases where disputs have arrisen that need judicial decisions which do not involve criminal activity, such as debt,contract agreements, patents, copywrite, libel etc.

Added: Violations of criminal law can be punished by imprisonment, whereas violations of civil law cannot. The can only be punished by monetary fines or restrictions of your actions.

Answer 6

Civil (private) Law is different from Criminal (public) Law in terms of who is involved. Civil law is litigation between two persons that do not include the government or crown. Criminal law is a lawsuit where the government or crown is one of the parties.