One of the key distinctions in the law between civil law and criminal law. Although it is sometimes significant gray area between these two branches of law, the major difference between the two is that the civil law deals with disputes between individuals, but criminal bid law to persons who have broken the law that dictate certain behaviors, and are therefore considered to be an affront to society and the state.

In civil law, there are usually two parties to lawsuits that are looking for a solution to some kind of dispute. For example, a person who has been injured through negligence of another person, such as in a car accident, is seeking some sort of compensation for their injuries and loss. Also could be a person who is suing the other party in a contract dispute, so that the person who is suing the builder for not properly complete the promised work, or maybe a builder who believes he has completed work properly but is not being paid. In these types of cases, both sides will present their case, and the court will try to find a fair solution to the dispute, usually by ordering a party to pay compensation to the other party. Civil law is a very broad area of ​​law and can come out of many cases including employment relationships, landlord and tenant relationships, business, and even family relations and child custody.

Criminal law is very different. In criminal cases, one party is the defendant, or the person who is accused of committing a crime or violation of law. The other person is usually the prosecutor that shows the state or the people. In the criminal case, the prosecutor must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the person committed the crime, and the defendant presents his defense. The court or jury decides if a person is guilty or not guilty and he will judge the man to any penalty for their crime is usually either a fine or imprisonment.

In addition to these major differences, there are many procedural differences between criminal and civil law. There are usually different rules of evidence, rules, and the burden of proof, and cases are normally held in different courts. It is therefore important to be represented by a lawyer who has experience in the practice in the relevant area of ​​law you need representation.