GOVT 2306 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Bench Trial, Indictment, Civil Defense
20 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Civil law involves dispute, usually between private individuals over relationships, obligations, and responsibility. Criminal law is the violation of concepts of right and wrong as defined by criminal statues. State accuses individuals of violations and if found guilty, violator is punished - loss of liberty or loss of life. The court to which a case goes depends on the amount of money involved. If not settled, it goes to trial, heard by a judge or a civil jury. Plaintiff must meet a preponderance of the evidence, plaintiff must show that it is more likely than not that the defendant is the cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff. Civil cases can be appealed, usually from the trial court to the intermediate court of appeal and even supreme court. Prior to trial there is an indictment by a grand jury - consists of 12 people who sit for 2-6 months.
