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