How does a criminal securities fraud case differ from a civil securities fraud case?
A criminal securities fraud case is a criminal charge against a person or company accused of committing fraudulent acts related to stocks, bonds, and other securities. It involves a law enforcement agency, typically the FBI, initiating an investigation and then filing criminal charges against individuals and businesses who are suspected of breaking the law. The penalties for a criminal securities fraud case can be significant and include hefty fines, jail time, and in some cases a permanent ban from the securities industry. A civil securities fraud case occurs when an investor or group of investors files a case in civil court alleging that a broker, financial institution, or other company has engaged in fraudulent behavior and has caused harm to a group of investors. Unlike a criminal charge, civil charges are brought by an individual or group of investors and not by the government. The main goal of civil securities fraud cases is to obtain monetary damages for investors who have suffered financial losses due to fraudulent activities. There are no criminal penalties associated with civil securities fraud. In summary, the main difference between a criminal and civil securities fraud case lies in the penalty associated with the crime. A criminal securities fraud case can result in jail time, hefty fines, and a potential ban from the securities industry, whereas a civil securities fraud case is solely focused on obtaining damages for the investors who have been harmed.
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