Understanding Criminal And Civil Law

Any paralegal going to work for an active litigator in the United States will likely perform their job under one of two branches of the law: criminal or civil. Both branches of the law represent two entirely different forms of legal practice, and though they have many similarities, they serve entirely different purposes in the American legal system.

Criminal law is the branch of law that pertains specifically to violations of the laws of the state. Cases contested under criminal law will almost always involve a representative of the state taking legal actions against an individual or group based upon the latter having violated a criminal statute. Criminal statutes are laws in which the behavior of society is restricted within civilized parameters. To put it more simply, it enforces good behavior, and punishes bad. Prosecutors in a criminal matter represent the state and its citizens; while by proxy that may include a wronged party, generally speaking the prosecutor is not a legal representative for any victims of a criminal violation. Contact a civil lawyer to review your case.

In criminal cases, the purpose of the prosecution's case is to see that sanctions

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