1. CRIMINAL VS. CIVIL LAW

2. CRIMINAL LAW
Laws that regulate our conduct and set out the duties owed to society.

3. CRIMINAL LAW
Felony
A more serious crime that carries a penalty of a year or more in jail
Examples- most murders, violent assaults, cases involving large amounts of money
Misdemeanor
Less serious offenses that carry a penalty of a year or more in jail, often punished with community service or fines.
Examples-petty crime, shoplifting, drug possession (all in small increments)

4. CRIMINAL LAW-PROSECUTION
PROSECUTION (Accuser)
A. Government always acts as prosecution
B. Attempting to prove the accused committed a crime
C. BURDEN OF PROOF-the prosecution is totally responsible for proving the accused committed a crime. (US or District Attorney)
D. The person must be found guilty BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

5. CRIMINAL LAW-Defendant
DEFENSE (Accused)
A. The person who is accused of breaking a state or federal law.
B. Court appointed lawyers are called PUBLIC DEFENDERS

6. CIVIL LAW
All law that does not involve criminal matters. It usually deals with a disputes between individuals, businesses, or the government.
Disputes can be between any two parties: (individuals, businesses, companies)

7. CIVIL LAW
Civil suits usually involve disputes over money or property, but no law has been broken
Ex-One person sues over a car accident, divorce, child custody, personal injury, contract disputes

8. CIVIL LAW
PLAINTIFF
The person is SUING, the person who felt they were wronged.
DEFENDANT
The person who is being sued.

9. CIVIL LAW
Decisions in civil cases are based on PREPONDERENCE OF EVIDENCE.
This means the burden is on each side to prove they are owed (or don’t owe) something. Whomever has the best evidence WINS!
If you see the word SUE it is civil law.