A review of the backgrounds of those judges serving in District Court will show most had the majority of their experience either in criminal law or in civil law. I began my legal career working in civil law for three different firms and did not begin a criminal law practice until the mid-90's. Still, what makes judges successful is the willingness to devote the time, energy and thought necessary to master their areas of least experience.

Civil law suits are private suits between two or more citizens. Civil law is the area of law by which private individuals resolve their differences with the help of the civil courts. Criminal law involves a citizen or a business and the state. The rules of the federal government and all individual state governments are codified into statutes. When an individual violates the rules, as listed in the statutes, then the federal government or the state will prosecute the individual.

Yes. You can be selected to sit on either a civil or criminal case. The Judge will inform you when you report as to which type of case is on the jury draw calendar.

A criminal case is brought by the authority of the state or federal government, represented by the prosecutor (known as the district attorney or United States attorney). Criminal cases seek punishment such as a fine, jail time, or both as the outcome. Civil cases usually are brought by private parties or corporations and seek to collect monetary damages.

Criminal Penalties - Although state laws vary across the United States, in most states there are several laws that address criminal penalties for various types of elder abuse. Some states have increased penalties for those who victimize older adults. Increasingly, across the country, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are trained on elder abuse and ways to use criminal and civil laws to bring abusers to justice. This is excellent news for elder rights activists.

The criminal law sets the acceptable limits of conduct in society. Everyone is expected to obey the criminal law under the penalty of punishment. The criminal law generally does not require you to perform an action; rather, it forbids an unlawful action. The State of Florida and the federal government have their own set of criminal laws. Criminal procedure consists mainly of the procedures used to prosecute a crime and the rights of the defendant.

Any person unable to resolve a legal dispute with another is entitled to ask that it be decided in court --- these are CIVIL cases. The person who brings the action is called the plaintiff, and the person against whom the action is brought is called the defendant. The plaintiff starts the action by stating his or her claim against the defendant in a written complaint. The defendant disputes the claim by filing a written answer. The complaint and answer constitute the basic pleadings in the case.

All criminal and civil hearings are scheduled by Magisterial District Judge John D. Whitesell's office. They can be contacted at (570) 595 - 2520. <Back to Top>

Civil matters represent disagreements between two parties - the plaintiff and the defendant. It can be money, non-performance of a contract, divorce, estate, real estate matters, etc. Criminal matters represent a charge by an enforcing agency against an individual who is suspected of committing a crime against person(s) or property. Crimes are defined by individual state, municipal, or federal law.

It can be either or both. Circumstances vary, and how the pirated product is used contributes to the answer to this question. It is best to just realize that pirating activity can result in both civil and criminal penalties, including fines and potential incarceration.

No, Legal Aid does not handle criminal law. For a list of the types of cases handled at Legal Aid, please see the "What Does Legal Aid Provide?" section of the About Legal Aid page.

In most cases, after either a plea of guilty, or a finding of guilt after trial, the following options may be available for defendants: Motion for new trial or Motion to withdraw guilty plea. These two motions must be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but both motions attempt to set aside the conviction. Appeal. Again, the facts of each case must be examined to determine if one can bring an appeal and, if so, whether it would it have merit. Modification of sentence.

The Florida State Legislature and the U.S. Congress enact criminal laws. In states having a common law system, state courts make criminal law based on the common law (judge-made-law) inherited from England. The current trend in Florida is to transfer the development of criminal law from court to legislature. Traditionally, crime is considered a matter of state rather than federal concern. Because of this, most ordinary crimes are covered by state criminal laws.

There are several differences between how juveniles and adults are treated in the criminal law system. Age, type of crime, and repeat offenses can all influence which system a juvenile is processed in. Begin your case review by filling out the form below or call us 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week at 1-866-242-0905 First NameLast NamePhone - - Our network of affiliated criminal defense law firms spans the entire country. In fact, we most likely have a partner firm right in your local area.

A criminal case can only be brought by the government. The prosecutor makes a case against the person accused of a crime, seeking prison time or another punishment. The prosecutor must meet a higher standard of proof than in a civil case. A civil case can be filed by anyone whose private rights or civil rights have allegedly been violated by another party. When a private party files a civil lawsuit for wrongful death, the party is seeking monetary damages, compensation for the loss suffered.

This is a criminal prosecution brought under section 1204 of 17 USC by the United States Department of Justice. To convict Dmitry and/ or ElcomSoft and trigger the criminal penalties in the DMCA, the government must prove that they acted willfully and for the purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain.

In a criminal case, a crime has been committed and the State of Nevada or a city is the plaintiff. The purpose of a criminal case is to hold the defendant accountable for his illegal actions. A crime is an offense against society in general, not just a particular victimized person. Criminal courts are concerned with punishing and rehabilitating the defendant.

The 23rd Judicial Circuit tries both civil and criminal cases and it is possible that you may be selected for either or both.

If your problem deals with a suspected violation of one or more criminal laws of the State of Ohio such as murder, rape, robbery, burglary, assault, domestic violence, theft, or drug trafficking, then please contact the local law enforcement agency where the crime occurred to report the crime. See also "Law Enforcement" page for more information.

Yes. Victims can and should consider pursuing both options, because each has different but equally important goals. Civil lawsuits attempt to compensate the victim for the harm done. Criminal prosecutions attempt to punish the offender for violating society's laws and protect other potential victims. Generally, the criminal prosecution will proceed first, followed by the civil lawsuit, unless a filing deadline must be met.

Answer: Yes. Crime victims can pursue both options. Usually the civil case follows the criminal prosecution, but may take place during it or even in the absence of a criminal case, especially in situations where the perpetrator is never caught. In most cases the criminal prosecution usually happens first, because if convicted, this fact will help establish fault in the civil lawsuit.

There are several differences between a civil and criminal order of protection. The primary difference is what the applicant must do, or have completed, before they can seek a specific type of protective order. To receive an order of protection in criminal court, you must have a police report documenting a recent crime and a willingness to file criminal charges, or, the offender must have been arrested and charged with a domestic-related crime.

District Court schedules all hearings. District Court offices are located at 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building D, Suite 100 Montgomeryville, PA. 18936. They may be contacted by phone at: 215-855-3946.

A civil case is a lawsuit, usually seeking the payment of money, filed against someone accused of wrongfully causing some kind of injury to another. The injury involved may be a personal injury, some kind of property damage, or some kind of financial loss. The plaintiff (the person who brings the suit) is the party claiming to have been harmed, and the defendant (the person sued) is the party alleged to have caused the harm. The burden of proof is relatively low in a civil case.

criminal" suspension is a suspension you received because of your conviction in court for a D.W.I. The Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a suspension notice telling you the length of time of your criminal suspension. civil" suspension is the suspension which was given or mailed to you by the officer who stopped you. The Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a suspension notice telling you the length of time of your civil suspension.

The critical difference is the penalty involved and the burden of proof. Those who are found guilty of crimes, even minor ones, risk the loss of their liberty as a result. Civil wrongs are typically addressed by an award of monetary damages. In addition, the burden of proof in criminal matters is "beyond a reasonable doubt", which is much stricter than the "preponderance of evidence" standard that is used in most civil cases.

All court cases except Juvenile are public record. Copies are 50? per page and certified copies are $5 plus 50? for each page.

Yes. For example, if Dave decides to walk up and slug Matt, Dave may be guilty of battery in a criminal court and liable to Matt for battery in a civil court.