Civil and Criminal Courts

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Civil and Criminal Courts

Similarities

  • Both have qualified judges
  • Both CAN have juries
  • Both go through many of the same courts
  • In both cases, actions are examined with evidence and compared to legislation on the issue

Differences

  • Criminal courts always have a jury, but civil courts rarely do
  • Civil courts deal with disputes, criminal courts with offenders
  • Civil courts are resolved through damages, whereas a guilty verdict in a criminal court results in a sentence

Overall comparison

In their workings, these two courts share many similarities. However, the purpose for which they are used varies massively. Criminal courts are brought with a purpose to punish if the defendant is guilty, whereas civil courts are brought to remedy a situation that does not break any existing legislation.

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