Civil vs. Criminal Courts Law Enforcement I

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Type of Laws There are two types of laws: Civil Criminal Constables enforce both types Most other peace officers only enforce criminal law, but often come in contact with civil law cases Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Why is it Important to Know the Difference? Peace officers need to know the difference so they know when they can legally act on something Officers are oftentimes called out to civil cases but cannot enforce any laws Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Why is it Important to Know the Difference? (continued) In these cases the officers are expected to maintain order and ensure no violence occurs, or make an arrest if an assault does occur These are often called civil standbys Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Why is it Important to Know the Difference? (continued) Examples of civil standbys are Child custody drop off or pick up situations Landlord and tenant disputes Officers cannot enforce any court orders related to these calls but can document for future court proceedings what happened Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Why is it Important to Know the Difference? (continued) Officers can always be called to testify as witnesses at a civil trial, just like in a criminal trial Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? Civil law concerns the private rights of individuals and organizations in which the government provides a public forum for the resolution of disputes. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Criminal law involves the violation of statutory laws in which the state (the government) is the prosecutor Some examples are arson, rape, and armed robbery Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) The burden of proof in civil cases is considered to be a “preponderance of the evidence” which means more likely than not the person accused of the wrong did it Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) The state’s burden of proof in a criminal case is to prove a defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” which is a much higher standard than what has to be proven in a civil case Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) In a civil case, the one bringing the case is the plaintiff or petitioner and the one defending is the respondent Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) In a criminal case, the prosecutor is the one who brings the charges and the defendant is the one defending Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Civil law can include private law and contract law Private law includes redress for non-criminal harm done to another Contract law regulates the varied legal transactions between groups and individuals Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Violations of statutory laws are called crimes Serious crimes are called felonies, and less serious ones are called misdemeanors Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) The punishment for civil law is often monetary, which is paid to another person or institution Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) The punishment for criminal law could be monetary, time spent in jail or prison, probation, community service, or all of the above, plus a report of this on a defendant’s criminal record if they are found guilty Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Civil law Deals primarily with individual or property rights Involves a concept of responsibility but not guilt Usually everyone involved is a private party A dispute is usually set out in a petition The court remedy is relief from or compensation for the violation of legal rights Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Criminal law Deals with public concepts proper behavior and morality as defined by law The case is initiated by a government prosecutor on behalf of the public Specific charges of wrongdoing are spelled out in a grand jury indictment or a writ of information Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is the Difference? (continued) Criminal law On arraignment, the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty Has strict rules of procedure that are used to evaluate evidence Determination of guilt results in punishment Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Resources 020547893X, Criminal Justice, James Fagin, 2006. 111134471X, American Government and Politics Today (Texas Edition), Steffen W. Schmidt, Mack C. Shelley, Barbara A. Bardes, Lynne E. Ford, and William Earl Maxwell, 2011. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.