Many people mistakenly believe that a lawyer can represent any type of case, and anyone admitted to the bar can represent them. However, attorneys tend to specialize in various practice areas. For instance, civil attorneys deal with very different cases than criminal attorneys do. Below is an introduction to each position and an explanation of how they differ. 

Criminal Lawyers

Criminal lawyers deal with criminal matters. For instance, prosecutors are criminal attorneys who work for the government and negotiate with or try to convict people charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Criminal defense attorneys, on the other hand, work for the defendant, who is the person being charged with a crime. They try to minimize the charges or punishments and see to it that their client is found not guilty. The end result of the criminal law process is a judgment of either guilty or not guilty. If negotiations are successful, it can result in dropped charges or a plea bargain for a reduced sentence. The burden is on the prosecutor to show that the defendant is guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt."

Civil Lawyers

Civil lawyers, on the other hand, deal with matters between members of the community. The government is not usually involved unless it is a defendant in a lawsuit. Civil legal matters do not involve crimes and result in no jail time. Rather, they are about righting financial or interpersonal wrongs, called "torts." Common torts include assault, battery, negligence, conversion of personal property, and infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiff's attorneys file a lawsuit to recoup their clients' medical expenses and to inflict punitive damages, while civil defense attorneys try to prove their client was not at fault. Unlike criminal attorneys, who face the reasonable doubt standard, civil attorneys only must show that the preponderance of evidence, or more than 50% likelihood, is in their favor.

If you need an experienced civil attorney, contact the law firm of John Rorem in Gig Harbor, WA. John and his team have served clients throughout Greater Seattle for nearly 50 years. They specialize in business, real estate, personal injury, divorce, and family law. Call (253) 858-5358 to book an appointment or message them online through their website.