By Olivia Ava
One of the main differences in law is between civil law and criminal law. Although there are significant gray areas between the two branches of this law, the main difference between the two is that civil law handles disputes between individuals, while criminal law is related to individuals who have violated the laws that determine certain behaviors, and therefore it is seen as an insult to community or country.
In civil law, there are generally two parties on the lawsuit looking for resolutions for some kind of dispute. For example, someone who was injured through the negligence of others, as in a car accident, was looking for a kind of compensation for their injury and losses. It can also be a party that requires other parties to contract disputes, such as someone who demands the builder because it does not complete the work promised, or maybe a builder who believes that he has completed the work properly but not paid. In this type of case, both parties will present their case, and the court will try to find a fair solution for disputes, usually by ordering one party to pay compensation to other parties. Civil law is a very broad legal field and can arise from many situations including working relationships, landlords and tenant relations, business transactions, and even family relations and child detainees.
Criminal law is very different. In a criminal case, one party is the defendant, or the person accused of committing a crime, or violation of the law. Other parties are generally a prosecutor who represent the country or the people. In a criminal case, the prosecutor must prove beyond the reasonable doubts that the person committed a crime, and the defendant presents their defense. Courts or judges then decide whether the person is guilty or not guilty and will then punish the person in the form of punishment for their crimes which is usually a fine or prison.
In addition to this main difference, there are many procedural differences between criminal law and civil law. Usually there are rules of different evidence, rules of procedures, and proof load, and cases are generally held in different courts. Therefore it is important to be represented by a lawyer who is experienced in practicing in the field of laws each where you need a representation.
