Civil courts are courts of law that handle civil cases rather than cases of a criminal nature. A civil suit involves a plaintiff who files a complaint against another party whom they believe has caused their injuries or property damage. A plaintiff typically requests monetary damages or a court order. For example, in an accident case, a person may file a civil suit under personal injury law.
Claims Commonly Heard in Civil Courts
Civil courts usually hear cases in various legal areas, such as personal injury, family law, real estate and property, business, intellectual property and contract disputes.
Civil Courts Differ From Criminal Courts
A criminal court is different from a civil court in that a criminal case is filed by a state for a violation of a criminal statute (such as a theft or murder case). By comparison, civil suits involve legal disputes between two opposing parties. There are also differences in regards to:
* The burden of proof. In criminal cases, the burden of proof is higher than that in civil cases. In a criminal case, the defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but in a civil case, a preponderance of the evidence is all that’s needed.
* Legal consequences. A civil case typically results in a court order or monetary damages, while a criminal case often involves fines, jail time and other sanctions.
Finally, there are constitutional protections applicable to defendants in criminal cases that don’t always apply in civil court (such as the right to retain an attorney). Some violations can be tried under civil or criminal law, or both. For instance, there are civil and criminal assault laws on the books.
Should a Person Hire an Attorney If they Need Civil Court Representation?
Unlike a criminal case, both parties in civil cases must hire their own attorneys. A person may need civil trial lawyers in Louisiana if they have an issue relating to real estate, personal injury or other civil matters.
Civil trial lawyers in Louisiana with khalaw.com can explain how local laws can affect these issues, and they can represent clients in court.
