Essential Legal Concepts: Civil and Criminal Law

Civil vs. Criminal Law

Civil Law Procedures

Purpose: It regulates relationships between individuals, dispute settlements, and the enforcement of rights.

Parties: Claimant or Plaintiff vs. Defendant.

Legal Action: To take legal action against somebody, to make a claim against somebody, to issue a claim against somebody, to file a suit against somebody, or to sue somebody.

Outcomes: The judge decides liability. The judge provides a remedy, such as damages, an injunction, or a declaration.

Criminal Law Procedures

Purpose: Prevents people from committing offenses.

Parties: Prosecutor vs. Defendant, Wrongdoer, Accused, Offender, or Criminal.

Legal Action: To take legal action against somebody, to file charges against somebody, to press charges against somebody, or to prosecute somebody.

Outcome: The judge decides guilt or innocence. The judge finds the accused guilty and may issue a sentence such as imprisonment, a fine, or a community order.

Police Powers and Procedures

• Stop and search (to search) persons and vehicles
• Enter and search premises (locales)
• Arrest, detain, and question people
• Take samples, photographs, and impressions
• Conduct identification procedures

Common Crimes and Legal Definitions

• Murder: Killing someone unlawfully and intentionally (Murderer).
• Extortion: Getting money from people by using threats.
• Joy-riding: Driving around for enjoyment in a stolen car.
• Rape: Forcing sexual intercourse on a person (Rapist).
• Money-laundering: Disguising criminal money (Laundered money).
• Piracy: Copying patented inventions or copyrighted works (Pirate).
• Perjury: Giving false evidence on oath to a court of law (Perjury of oneself).
• Libel: Defaming someone in writing.
• Arson: Setting fire to a forest.
• Slander: Defaming someone in speech.
• Bribery: Offering money corruptly.
• Manslaughter: Killing someone unintentionally or in mitigating circumstances.
• Forgery: Making an illegal copy of a document.
• Embezzlement: Using money placed in one's care.
• Insider trading: Illegal buying and selling of stocks.

Legal Synonyms and Terminology

• The death penalty: Capital punishment
• Prison: Jail
• Accused of: Charged with
• Receive: Get
• Concerned: Worried
• Questioned: Asked
• Sparking: Starting
• Reputation: Image
• Grave: Serious
• Aware: Conscious

Statutory and Legislative Terms

• Act of Parliament: Statute or Enactments
• Legislation: Statute Law, Statutory Law, or Written Law
• To interpret: To construe
• To enforce the law: To apply the law
• Courts are obliged: Courts are bound to apply them
• To delegate legislative power: To confer legislative power
• Traditional: Entrenched
• Guaranteed: Safeguarded
• To imply: To embrace