Differences Between Criminal Cases and Civil Disputes

Learning Intention Success Criteria Differences between criminal cases and civil disputes Success Criteria Define different types of criminal case List the parties to a criminal case Define civil dispute List the parties in a civil dispute Describe the consequences of civil and criminal cases. Describe the overlap between civil and criminal

Criminal Cases Usually between the state and an individual or individuals involve actions that are against the law, harmful to society and punishable by the law. Examples of offences covered under criminal law include murder, theft and fraud.

Parties to a Criminal Case Prosecution Acting on behalf of the state to prosecute in the case Accused  the person accused of the crime Victim  who has been offended against.

Criminal Cases

Criminal Cases Indictable Offences Summary Offences

Summary Offences Minor criminal offences that are heard before a magistrate in the Magistrates’ Court Eg. offensive behaviour. Many summary offences are breaches of local laws or laws made by subordinate authorities Offences listed in most Acts of parliament are summary offences unless an Act declares them to be indictable offences.

Indictable Offences Serious criminal offences that are heard before a judge and jury in superior courts such as the County Court or Supreme Court Eg. homicide and fraud. As a general rule, offences listed in the Crimes Act 1958(Vic.) and the Wrongs Act 1958(Vic.) are indictable offences unless these Acts state that an offence is a summary offence.

After a crime has been committed Drop the case because of insufficient evidence Channel the accused into a diversionary program or a victim/offender mediation program Send to court

Civil Disputes Disputes between two or more individuals or groups. Civil actions usually involve the infringement of rights. The aim of a civil action is to return the party whose rights have been infringed to his or her original position (as far as possible).  The most common types of civil actions are: Torts (may result from negligent but not intentional criminal actions) eg. negligence, trespass, nuisance and defamation, and  contract law, involves a dispute about a legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Parties to civil disputes Plaintiff (party who has been harmed) sues the  Defendant (party who has allegedly caused the harm) The plaintiff seeks a particular remedy. 

Resolving Civil Disputes Alternative Dispute Resolution Court Tribunal courts – Sometimes the courts may refer a matter to a dispute resolution method, such as mediation, to give the parties the opportunity to settle the matter before it is judicially determined. tribunals – Tribunals have the power to resolve specific civil disputes within the area of law-making power they have been given; for example, discrimination cases, or disputes between landlords and tenants.  Tribunals such as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal(VCAT) are less formal in the way in which they hear cases, but are still able to make binding decisions. Tribunals will often encourage the parties to settle their disputes themselves, if possible. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods – ADR includes mediation, conciliation and arbitration. These methods of dispute resolution are generally quicker, cheaper and less intimidating. However, other than arbitration, they are usually not binding on the parties. The parties may use an ADR method without going to a court or tribunal, such as attending mediation arranged by the parties, or the parties may be required by the court or tribunal to try to settle the matter through an ADR method before it is judicially determined.

Consequences of Civil and Criminal Cases Consequence of being found guilty of breaking a criminal law is punishment  of the offender, determined by the court Eg: imprisonment, a community protection order or a fine. Consequence of a successful civil action usually includes damages being paid by the defendant to the plaintiff or another civil remedy

THE OVERLAP BETWEEN CRIMINAL LAW AND CIVIL LAW Assault Case Criminal Prosecution Civil Action Instigated by State Not guilty Heard separately In different courts? Instigated by Victim Liable Some actions, such as an assault, can give rise to a criminal prosecution instigated by the state as well as a civil action instigated by the victim. However, the consequences of criminal and civil actions vary. Both civil and criminal action In instances where the same action gives rise to both a criminal action and a civil action, the two cases will be heard separately and may be heard in different courts. The outcome of one does not affect the outcome of the other, but a guilty verdict in the criminal action may provide a stronger basis for the plaintiff to succeed in the civil action. It is possible for an accused to be found not guilty in a criminal case, but found liable in a civil case relating to the same wrong.  This is often because the standard of proof in a criminal case is much higher than in the civil case.  The jury (or magistrate if it was a summary offence or an indictable offence heard summarily) may not have found beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty. However, in the civil case, the judge or the jury of six may believe that the plaintiff’s version of facts is more believable than the defendant’s version, and may therefore find the defendant liable.

Learning Activity LA - Pg 283 LA 6.1 LA 6.2