CRIMINAL LAW AND CIVIL LAW

CRIMINAL LAW:

the law that punishes acts against a person or against property that people consider to be harmful to the whole community. The state prosecutes criminals.


EXAMPLES.

1. The pólice are taking Mr Dean to the pólice station because they say he stole a car. He needs a lawyer to come and visit him there to tell him what to do.


2. Mr Allen is a bank manager. The bank is saying that some money is missing. Mr Allen has a new car and expensive clothes. The pólice are coming to ask Mr Allen some questions. He needs a lawyer immediately.

CIVIL LAW

The law concerning the rights and duties of private individuals and companies rather tan criminal matters.

EXAMPLES

1. Mr Bellerby is opening a new Factory. He needs to visit a lawyer to get a contract for all of his employees to sign.

2. Mrs Robson is thinking about what she wants to happen to her house and possessions after her death. She needs to visit a lawyer to get the correct document, which is called a 'will'.

COMPARATED.

• CIVIL LAW

•Rights and duties between individuals.

•Harm to a person.

•Person who a suffered harm.

•preponderance of the evidence.

• CRIMINAL LAW

•Offenses against society as a whole.

•Violation of  a statute that prohibits some type of activity.

•the state.

•Beyond a reasonable doubt.