Differences between Civil Law and Criminal Law

Law can be classified in a variety of ways. One of the most general classifications divides law
into civil and criminal. A basic definition of civil law is the body of law having to do with the
private rights of individuals (Yourdictionary.com, 2010). As this definition indicates, civil law
is between individuals, not the government. Criminal law involves regulations enacted and
enforced by government action, while civil law provides a remedy for individuals who need to
enforce private rights against other individuals. Some examples of civil law are family law,
wills and trusts, and contract law. If individuals need to resolve a civil dispute, this is
called civil litigation, or a civil lawsuit. When the type of civil litigation involves an injury, the
injury action is called a tort. Civil law and criminal law are two broad and separate entities of
law with separate sets of laws and punishments.

A. Objectives of Civil Litigation and Criminal Prosecution

Goal of a Criminal Prosecution
Another substantial difference between civil litigation and criminal prosecution is the goal.
Recall that the goal of civil litigation is to compensate the plaintiff for injuries. In contrast, the
goal of a criminal prosecution is to punish the defendant.
One consequence of the goal of punishment in a criminal prosecution is that fault is almost
always an element in any criminal proceeding. This is unlike civil litigation, where the ability
to pay is a priority consideration. Clearly, it is unfair to punish a defendant who did nothing
wrong. This makes criminal law justice oriented and very satisfying for most students.
Injury and a victim are not necessary components of a criminal prosecution because
punishment is the objective, and there is no plaintiff. Thus behavior can be criminal even if it is
essentially harmless. Society does not condone or pardon conduct simply because it fails to
produce a tangible loss.
Examples of Victimless and Harmless Crimes
Steven is angry because his friend Bob broke his skateboard. Steven gets his gun, which has a
silencer on it, and puts it in the glove compartment of his car. He then begins driving to Bobs
house. While Steven is driving, he exceeds the speed limit on three different occasions. Steven
arrives at Bobs house and then he hides in the bushes by the mailbox and waits. After an hour,
Bob opens the front door and walks to the mailbox. Bob gets his mail, turns around, and begins
walking back to the house. Steven shoots at Bob three different times but misses, and the
bullets end up landing in the dirt. Bob does not notice the shots because of the silencer.

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In this example, Steven has committed several crimes: (1) If Steven does not have a special
permit to carry a concealed weapon, putting the gun in his glove compartment is probably a
crime in most states. (2) If Steven does not have a special permit to own a silencer for his gun,
this is probably a crime in most states. (3) If Steven does not put the gun in a locked container
when he transports it, this is probably a crime in most states. (4) Steven committed a crime
each time he exceeded the speed limit. (5) Each time Steven shot at Bob and missed, he
probably committed the crime of attempted murder or assault with a deadly weapon in most
states. Notice that none of the crimes Steven committed caused any discernible harm. However,
common sense dictates that Steven should be punished so he does not commit a criminal act in
the future that may result in harm.
According to William Geldart, Introduction to English Law 146 (D.C.M. Yardley ed., 9th ed.
1984),
The difference between civil law and criminal law turns on the difference between two
different objects which law seeks to pursue - redress or punishment. The object of civil
law is the redress of wrongs by compelling compensation or restitution: the wrongdoer is
not punished; he only suffers so much harm as is necessary to make good the wrong he
has done. The person who has suffered gets a definite benefit from the law, or at least he
avoids a loss. On the other hand, in the case of crimes, the main object of the law is to
punish the wrongdoer; to give him and others a strong inducement not to commit same or
similar crimes, to reform him if possible and perhaps to satisfy the public sense that
wrongdoing ought to meet with retribution.

Criminal law deals with behavior that is or can be construed as an offense against the public,
society, or the stateeven if the immediate victim is an individual. Examples are murder,
assault, theft,and drunken driving. Civil law deals with behavior that constitutes an injury to an
individual or other private party, such as a corporation. Examples are defamation (including libel
and slander), breach of contract, negligence resulting in injury or death, and property damage.

Criminal law and civil law differ with respect to how cases are initiated (who may bring charges
or file suit), how cases are decided (by a judge or a jury 1), what kinds of punishment or penalty
may be imposed, what standards of proof must be met, and what legal protections may be
available to the defendant.

B. Parties in Litigation

In civil litigation, an injured party sues to receive a court-ordered remedy, such as money,
property, or some sort of performance. Anyone who is injuredan individual, corporation, or
other business entitycan sue civilly. In a civil litigation matter, the injured party that is suing is

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No more relevant for Indian legal system
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called the plaintiff. A plaintiff must hire and pay for an attorney or represent himself or herself.
Hiring an attorney is one of the many costs of litigation and should be carefully contemplated
before jumping into a lawsuit.

The alleged wrongdoer and the person or entity being sued are called the defendant. While the
term plaintiff is always associated with civil litigation, the wrongdoer is called a defendant
in both civil litigation and a criminal prosecution, so this can be confusing. The defendant can be
any person or thing that has caused harm, including an individual, corporation, or other business
entity. A defendant in a civil litigation matter must hire and pay for an attorney even if that
defendant did nothing wrong. The right to a free attorney does not apply in civil litigation, so a
defendant who cannot afford an attorney must represent himself or herself.

The government institutes the criminal prosecution, rather than an individual plaintiff. As in a
civil lawsuit, the alleged wrongdoer is called the defendant and can be an individual,
corporation, or other business entity.

C. Remedies
Criminal law

In criminal law, a guilty defendant is punished by either (1) incarceration in a jail or prison, (2)
fine paid to the government, or, in exceptional cases, (3) execution of the defendant: the death
penalty.

Civil law

In contrast, a defendant in civil litigation is never incarcerated and never executed. In general, a
losing defendant in civil litigation only reimburses the plaintiff for losses caused by the
defendant's behavior.

In a civil litigation matter, any money the court awards to the plaintiff is called damages. Several
kinds of damages may be appropriate. The plaintiff can sue for compensatory damages, which
compensate for injuries, costs, which repay the lawsuit expenses, and in some cases, punitive
damages. Punitive damages, also referred to as exemplary damages, are not designed to
compensate the plaintiff but instead focus on punishing the defendant for causing the injury

So-called punitive damages are never awarded in a civil case under contract law. In a civil case
under tort law, there is a possibility of punitive damages, if the defendant's conduct is egregious
and had either (1) a malicious intent (i.e., desire to cause harm), (2) gross negligence (i.e.,
conscious indifference), or (3) a willful disregard for the rights of others. The use of punitive
damages makes a public example of the defendant and supposedly deters future wrongful
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conduct by others. Punitive damages are particularly important in torts involving dignitary harms
(e.g., invasion of privacy) and civil rights, where the actual monetary injury to plaintiff(s) may be
small.

One can purchase insurance that will pay damages and attorney's fees for tort claims. Such
insurance coverage is a standard part of homeowner's insurance policies, automobile insurance,
and insurance for businesses. In contrast, it is not possible for a defendant to purchase insurance
to pay for his/her criminal acts.

D. Burden of Proof

In criminal litigation, the burden of proof is always on the state. The state must prove that the
defendant is guilty. The defendant is assumed to be innocent; the defendant needs to prove
nothing. (There are exceptions. If the defendant wishes to claim that he/she is insane, and
therefore not guilty, the defendant bears the burden of proving his/her insanity. Other exceptions
include defendants who claim self-defense or duress.) In criminal litigation, the state must prove
that the defendant satisfied each element of the statutory definition of the crime, and the
defendant's participation, "beyond a reasonable doubt."

In civil litigation, the burden of proof is initially on the plaintiff. However, there are a number of
technical situations in which the burden shifts to the defendant. For example, when the plaintiff
has made a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the defendant to refute or rebut the plaintiff's
evidence.

In civil litigation, the plaintiff wins if the preponderance of the evidence favors the plaintiff. For
example, if the judge believes that there is more than a 50% probability that the defendant was
negligent in causing the plaintiff's injury, the plaintiff wins.

E. Applicability of the Constitution in a Criminal Prosecution

Protections for criminal defendants: (Articles 20, 21, and 22 of the Constitution of
India)

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 No ex post facto law. Art. 20
If an act was lawful when it was performed, the performer can not be convicted of a
crime as a result of a law enacted after the performance.

Prohibition against "unreasonable searches and seizures"

Prohibition of double jeopardy

Prohibition against compelled self-incrimination.

The right to a speedy trial.

The right to the assistance of counsel.

It may come as a surprise to know that these protections are not available in civil law.

Summary:

In criminal cases, for example, only the state (the prosecution) may initiate a case; punishment
for serious charges often consists of imprisonment but may also include a fine paid to the
government; to secure conviction, the prosecution must establish the guilt of the defendant
"beyond a reasonable doubt"; and defendants are protected against conduct by police or
prosecutors that violates their constitutional rights, including the right against unreasonable
searches and seizures and the right against compelled self-incrimination etc

In civil cases, by contrast, cases are initiated (suits are filed) by a private party (the plaintiff);
punishment almost always consists of a monetary award and never consists of imprisonment; to
prevail, the plaintiff must establish the defendant's liability only according to the "preponderance
of evidence"; and defendants are not entitled to the same legal protections as are the criminally
accused.

Civil law regulates the private rights of individuals. Criminal law regulates individuals
conduct to protect the public.
Civil litigation is a legal action between individuals to resolve a civil dispute. Criminal
prosecution is when the government prosecutes a defendant to punish illegal conduct.