1. Differences Between Criminal Cases and Civil Disputes

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Criminal Cases

6. Criminal Cases
Indictable Offences
Summary Offences

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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. 

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. Learning Activity
LA - Pg 283
LA 6.1
LA 6.2