With so many different types of law, it can be hard to keep the differences straight. Two of the most common areas are civil and criminal law. At a basic level, criminal law involves the government prosecuting a crime, and civil law is a legal dispute involving two or more private parties. Here, the team at Lane, Felix & Raisbeck Co. L.P.A., serving Cincinnati, OH, shares some additional ways civil and criminal law cases differ. 

3 Key Differences Between Civil & Criminal Law

1. Cause of Action

The cause of action, or reason for one party to bring charges against another, is a key differentiator between criminal and civil law. In a criminal law case, charges are brought against the plaintiff for breaking a government-mandated law. Civil cases deal with personal disputes between individuals or groups. Personal injury cases, matters of family law, and real estate issues all fall under the purview of civil law. 

2. Who Is Involved

In criminal cases, a government party brings charges against a person or group. Examples include cases in which an individual state or county files charges against a person. In civil cases, the prosecution and the defendants are generally individual parties or groups, as opposed to governmental bodies. 

3. Burden of Proof

Finally, another major difference between civil and criminal law is who has the responsibility of proving their case. This is called the burden of proof. In criminal cases, the prosecution has to prove their charges are true or plausible beyond a reasonable doubt, meaning a layperson cannot draw a logical conclusion from the evidence other than the defendant is guilty. In civil cases, the burden of proof is the preponderance of proof. This means more than half the evidence in the case supports the prosecution’s claims. 

Though this list describes three main differences between criminal and civil law cases, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration before pursuing legal action. If you’re thinking of filing a criminal or civil suit, get in touch with an expert attorney today to discuss your options. 

With more than 60 years of combined legal experience, the expert defense attorneys of Lane, Felix & Raisbeck Co. L.P.A. have helped countless clients in Cincinnati with their legal needs. If you need assistance with a criminal or civil lawsuit, call (513) 922-7700 to schedule your initial consultation. You can also visit their website to learn more about their wide range of legal services.