Civil Law v. Criminal Law: Penalties

In civil law, one person is suing another to get something. It may be money (called damages), or it may be to get the other party to do, or stop doing, a certain act.

Usually, the result of a guilty verdict in criminal law is some sort of punishment, such as fines or prison time. Depending on the charge, other agencies may also be involved in the punishment phase. For instance, a speeding ticket may result in a fine and the Motor Vehicle Commission/Department of Motor Vehicles restricting your license and/or driving rights.

Having an attorney, whether in a civil trial or a criminal trial, significantly affects the possible penalties you may face, as attorneys often are able to negotiate more lenient punishments such as a change in charges, lesser jail time, or lower or payouts.