1. What is Law?
Kinds of Laws

2. There are two broad categories of law with which you might be familiar.
Criminal Law
Civil Law

3. Civil Law Criminal Law Personal Rights Punishable by:
- restitution (payback of some sort)
- damage awards in the form of $$$
Crimes against society
Punishable by:
- fines
- probation
- imprisonment

4. Criminal Laws
Criminal laws regulate (control) public conduct and set out duties owed to society
In criminal law
- crimes are investigated
- defendants are prosecuted
- offenders are held accountable
(prison, jail or probationary sentences)

5. Criminal Laws
Criminal law issues, for example, include serious crimes (felonies):
armed robbery
homicide
rape 
* A felony may be punishable with imprisonment for one or more years

6. Criminal Laws
Criminal law issues also include less serious crimes (misdemeanors):
littering
jaywalking
trespassing
* Many misdemeanors are punishable with monetary fines

7. Criminal Laws
Criminal case brought by government against a defendant (the accused person)
District Attorney (DA) prosecutes (prosecutor) criminal cases in court
Must prove the guilt of accused defendants beyond a reasonable doubt

8. Civil Laws
Civil laws regulate relations between individuals or groups of individuals
Addresses situations in which people have been harmed
An economic award might help remedy (make better) the situation

9. Civil Law
Civil action - a lawsuit that can be brought by the plaintiff (the person who feels wronged or injured by another person)

10. Civil Law
Private attorneys generally handle both sides of a dispute involving civil law
The issues in civil court most often need to be proven only by a preponderance of the evidence (more than likely)

11. Criminal or Civil?
You slip on an icy sidewalk and become injured and suffer physical and money damages.
You come home one evening and discover that someone has broken into your home and taken your new computer.

12. Today’s Learning Goal:
I can explain the key differences between a criminal case and a civil case.
Agenda Time/Mins
1. Warm-Up
2. Case Study: The Case of OJ Simpson
(Pass in your class assignment UPON COMPLETION)
3. CLOZE ACTIVITY
4. Case Review
5. Review Sheet for Assessment on Friday 5

13. Warm-Up 1. harmed or injured person who files a lawsuit
2. brought by government against a defendant
3. regulate relations between individuals or groups of individuals
4. burden of proof needed in a civil case
5. a serious crime
6. crime punishable with incarceration for one year or less
7. the District Attorney (D.A.)
8. person either charged with a crime or defending against a lawsuit
a. criminal case
b. misdemeanor
c. defendant
d. prosecutor
e. civil laws
f. preponderance
of the evidence
g. Felony
h. Plaintiff

14. The Trial of the Century

15. The Case of … OJ Simpson

18. Ron Goldman

21. Assignment Scoring
4 Effectively and completely addresses the prompt 3 Adequately addresses the prompt 2 Partially addresses the prompt 1 Minimally addresses the prompt. 0 Does not address the prompt

22. What’s the difference between a civil and a criminal conviction?
OJ Simpson was found not guilty in a criminal trial but was held liable for a victim’s death in a civil trial
Why?
Two different cases in different courts, involving different laws, and different burdens of proof