What is the difference between civil and criminal law?

The difference between civil law and criminal law is an important one to understand. In Louisiana, civil law and criminal law are treated differently in court. Civil law deals with disputes between two private parties. Generally, the person who files the complaint is alleging that another person or party did some sort of harm or injustice to them. Examples of such cases include lawsuits for breach of contract, property disputes, and personal injury cases. In a civil case, the court hearing the case decides who wins or loses, and the judge may award a money judgment to the plaintiff if the other party is found to be at fault. Criminal law, on the other hand, is used to prosecute individuals accused of committing a crime. In a criminal trial, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the accused is found guilty, the court may impose a criminal sentence, which may be a prison sentence, fines, or other punishments. In short, civil law is used to resolve disputes between two private parties, while criminal law is used to prosecute people accused of committing a crime. Understanding the differences between the two is important for anyone going to court in Louisiana.

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