Both criminal and civil disputes are types of legal cases handled at either the state or federal level, depending on the nature of the case and the persons involved. But there are some important distinctions that separate these two kinds of legal actions. Below, four of the more crucial differences between criminal and civil disputes are discussed in depth.

4 Crucial Differences Between Criminal & Civil Disputes

1. Plaintiffs

The plaintiff is the individual or group who brings legal charges against the defendant. In criminal law matters, the plaintiff is the government, representing the people through a prosecuting attorney. In civil disputes, the plaintiff is most often a private citizen or business. The victim in a civil case is the one who files the lawsuit, while the victim in a criminal case does not have to bear this responsibility. In the latter situation, the state prosecutes against the defendant, and the victim may be asked to testify.

2. Breaches

Criminal cases are concerned with individuals who have broken specific criminal laws. The infractions could be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the scope and severity of the crime. Civil cases, on the other hand, deal more with a breach of duty. For example, every person has an implicit duty to drive with care, pay for goods or services rendered, and not slander others in public forums. Breaching any of these duties could make one the subject of a civil case.

3. Damages

A person who is found guilty in a criminal case will face punitive measures, such as fines, probation, community service, or imprisonment. A person who loses in civil litigation will be given a financial penalty, like paying for a plaintiff's vehicle damage in a car accident case.

4. Records

A criminal conviction stays on a guilty defendant's record as a matter of public safety. Although civil disputes do not result in guilty or not guilty verdicts, the details of the case are still a matter of public information.

The lawyers at Zangari Cohn Cuthbertson Duhl & Grello PC in New Haven, CT, have been serving clients throughout New England since 1946. Call (203) 789­-0001 or visit them online to speak to an attorney about the legal issues you are facing. You can also visit the firm's Facebook page for helpful legal tips and more information about their services.