The Differences between Civil and Criminal Courts

The decisions of court cases big and small have significant effects on both our society as a whole and the individuals within it. A legal dispute can be settled in either a civil court or a criminal court, depending on the particular situation. If you are facing legal troubles, it is important to understand the difference between two different types of courts in order to understand how your case will proceed.

For example, if you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be facing both civil and criminal penalties. For the aggressive and efficient legal services you need, contact Rhode Island DWI defense attorney James Powderly at 401-662-9006.

Civil Courts versus Criminal Courts

The basic functions of our nation’s two different court systems are:

• Civil courts: A civil court handles cases that involve private relationships between people, or between a person and an organization. Issues that can be settled in civil courts include divorce, domestic or child abuse, sexual harassment, employer discrimination, or financial disputes. Since civil court proceedings involved one party taking action against the other, the government is not usually involved.
• Criminal courts: Criminal courts handle the prosecution of people accused of crimes. Criminal cases can include drunk driving, drug possession, robbery, embezzlement, assault, murder, and other crimes. In criminal cases, the government is prosecuting the defendant on behalf of the general public. Therefore, the defendant is the person or party charged with the crime, while the prosecution is a representative of the government.

If you have been charged with a crime or are facing another sort of legal situation, it is important to understand the difference in criminal courts and civil courts to determine how your situation will be resolved and decide which type of legal action to pursue.

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For help with your DUI charge, contact Rhode Island drunk driving defense lawyer James Powderly at 401-662-9006.