The subject matter of the legal system
felonies vs misdemeanors
Ae
Criminal law vs Civil law
One category is the criminal law (the law dealing with crime). A case is called a prosecution. The case is instituted by the prosecutor, who takes over the case from the police who have already decided to charge the defendant (or accused) with specified crimes. The civil law is much more wide-ranging. The civil law includes the law of contract and family law. In a civil case, the plaintiff, normally a private individual or company brings the case to win compensation. If the case is proven (on the balance of probabilities, meaning the one is more sure than not), the defendant normally pays the plaintiff damages (money).
white collar crimes vs street crimes
different categories
Common terms in civil law
plaintiff, contract, family law, to bring a case, compensation, damages, intellectual property, private individual, the defendant
criminal law
prosecutor brings an action against the accused (on behalf of the state) who may be found guilty if the crime is proved beyond reasonable doubt
civil law
claimant/plaintiff brings a suit against the defendant, who may be found liable on the balance of probabilities
Common terms in criminal law
to charge someone with something. crime, prosecution, to bring an action, the accused, to fine, theft, police, the defendant
serious crime vs minor/pretty crime
BrE
theft (BrE), larcony (Ae)
Diebstahl