What is the difference between a criminal and civil drunk driving case?

The primary difference between a criminal and civil drunk driving case in Arizona is the type of penalty imposed for the offense. In a criminal drunk driving case, a person may face criminal charges, such as driving under the influence, and upon conviction, fines, jail time, and/or license suspension. If the accused is found guilty, they are labeled a criminal under the law, and the charge will remain on their criminal record for life. On the other hand, in a civil drunk driving case, the person may be sued in civil court by the victim and/or their family and be held liable for any damages they may have caused. In this case, the person is not labeled a criminal, but instead, the court will award the victim or their family monetary compensation to cover any medical expenses, lost wages, or other expenses. In some cases, the court may also order the accused to pay punitive damages, which are intended to punish the accused for their negligence and deter future behavior. Overall, criminal and civil drunk driving cases involve two separate types of penalties; one is a criminal penalty, while the other is a civil penalty. However, it’s important to note that a person may face both criminal and civil charges for the same drunk driving incident.

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What is the difference between a criminal and civil drunk driving case?

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