Our legal system is comprised of two major groupings of wrongs that affect different parties. Criminal law defines wrongdoings that affect an individual and society as a whole, whereas civil law focuses on wrongs, or torts, that are harm done to another person. Criminal and civil law differ primarily in the court system. With criminal prosecutions, the charges filed against a defendant are brought about by the state or federal government. A defendant is found guilty in a criminal court and faces a punishment that could range from incarceration to monetary fines (Duignan, 2016). In criminal courts of law guilt must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil courts, cases are brought to court by an individual. Cases in civil courts are decided solely by judges and the punishment is usually of monetary value. Civil courts do not have the same standard of evidence as criminal courts and defendants could be found liable for what they are accused of based on preponderance of evidence.

I believe it is good to have these two different types of laws. It is important to separate criminal actions that cause great harm to many people, even if indirectly. Criminal law aids in enforcing laws set forth by government and attempts to keep the public safe from offenders. Civil law on the other hand provides a legal pathway to settling personal disputes without the threat of major punishment. In keeping criminal and civil law separate, it allows the criminal justice system to operate without an overload of cases that are not imperative to society or public safety.

It is necessary to have different requirements to being found guilty vs liable. If a prosecution cannot prove without a shadow of a doubt a defendant has committed a crime, the defendant will not have to face punishment under criminal law. But sometimes, there is enough evidence to impose some form of legal repercussion on an individual in a civil court. It is important that there is a court in which those who have suffered harm by an offender can prove they were harmed without the burden of proof that is required criminally.

 

TASK

 

After reading the above statement give a short opinion of what you think about what was said?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The statement provides a clear overview of the differences between criminal ... View the full answer