Civil & Criminal Litigation

Civil Law

Civil law deals with disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities, usually involving issues related to rights, obligations, contracts, and compensation for harm or injury. Examples of civil law cases include personal injury claims, contract disputes, property disputes, and family law matters such as divorce and child custody. In civil litigation, the plaintiff seeks compensation or other forms of relief from the defendant, and the resolution typically involves monetary compensation, injunctions, or specific performance orders.

Criminal Law

Criminal law, on the other hand, involves offenses against the state or society as a whole. It encompasses actions that are considered harmful or threatening to public welfare and safety, such as theft, assault, murder, and drug trafficking. In criminal cases, the government, represented by prosecutors, charges an individual or entity with violating specific laws. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and if convicted, they may face penalties such as fines, probation, imprisonment, or in severe cases, capital punishment.

Litigation

Litigation is the process of resolving legal disputes through the court system. In civil litigation, parties pursue legal action to enforce their rights or seek compensation for damages. This typically involves filing a complaint, conducting discovery (gathering evidence), negotiation, and potentially going to trial before a judge or jury.

In criminal litigation, the government brings charges against an individual or entity accused of committing a crime. The process involves arraignment, pre-trial motions, trial, and sentencing if the defendant is found guilty. Both civil and criminal litigation require adherence to legal procedures, presentation of evidence, and arguments by legal representatives (lawyers) on behalf of their clients.