The difference is which set of laws govern the issue at hand and what the punishment can be. Violating civil law is punishable by fines and mild restrictions. Violating criminal law in punishable by a wider set of fines and restrictions including jail or prison time and, in certain cases, death.
Chat with our AI personalities
In a criminal case, the government prosecutes an individual for violating the law, which could result in penalties such as imprisonment or fines. In a civil case, individuals or entities sue each other over disputes like contracts, property, or personal injuries, and the outcome usually involves monetary compensation or court orders to do or not do something.
The decision of whether a case is civil or criminal is typically determined by the nature of the claim or offense being alleged. Civil cases usually involve disputes between individuals or entities, while criminal cases involve violations of criminal laws that are prosecuted by the government. Additionally, the legal system in each jurisdiction may have specific criteria for categorizing cases as civil or criminal.
A major crime in Canada is typically referred to as a "serious indictable offense" or a "major criminal offense." These crimes include offenses such as murder, robbery, sexual assault, and drug trafficking.
The party who initiates a legal case is known as the plaintiff in a civil case or the prosecution in a criminal case. They are the ones bringing the case to court and seeking a resolution or remedy for the legal issue at hand.
A case refers to a specific legal matter being heard in court, while a lawsuit is a legal action initiated by a party against another in court to resolve a dispute. Essentially, a lawsuit is the process that leads to a case being heard and decided upon by a court.
CR typically stands for "Criminal" in front of a court case number, indicating that the case involves criminal charges rather than civil matters.