What is Law? Kinds of Laws

There are two broad categories of law with which you might be familiar. Criminal Law Civil Law

Civil Law Criminal Law Personal Rights Punishable by: - restitution (payback of some sort) - damage awards in the form of $$$ Crimes against society Punishable by: - fines - probation - imprisonment

Criminal Laws Criminal laws regulate (control) public conduct and set out duties owed to society In criminal law - crimes are investigated - defendants are prosecuted - offenders are held accountable (prison, jail or probationary sentences)

Criminal Laws Criminal law issues, for example, include serious crimes (felonies): armed robbery homicide rape  * A felony may be punishable with imprisonment for one or more years

Criminal Laws Criminal law issues also include less serious crimes (misdemeanors): littering jaywalking trespassing * Many misdemeanors are punishable with monetary fines

Criminal Laws Criminal case brought by government against a defendant (the accused person) District Attorney (DA) prosecutes (prosecutor) criminal cases in court Must prove the guilt of accused defendants beyond a reasonable doubt

Civil Laws Civil laws regulate relations between individuals or groups of individuals Addresses situations in which people have been harmed An economic award might help remedy (make better) the situation

Civil Law Civil action - a lawsuit that can be brought by the plaintiff (the person who feels wronged or injured by another person)

Civil Law Private attorneys generally handle both sides of a dispute involving civil law The issues in civil court most often need to be proven only by a preponderance of the evidence (more than likely)

Criminal or Civil? You slip on an icy sidewalk and become injured and suffer physical and money damages. You come home one evening and discover that someone has broken into your home and taken your new computer.

Today’s Learning Goal: I can explain the key differences between a criminal case and a civil case. Agenda Time/Mins 1. Warm-Up 5 2. Case Study: The Case of OJ Simpson 20 (Pass in your class assignment UPON COMPLETION) 3. CLOZE ACTIVITY 15 4. Case Review 10 5. Review Sheet for Assessment on Friday 5

Warm-Up 1. harmed or injured person who files a lawsuit 2. brought by government against a defendant 3. regulate relations between individuals or groups of individuals 4. burden of proof needed in a civil case 5. a serious crime 6. crime punishable with incarceration for one year or less 7. the District Attorney (D.A.) 8. person either charged with a crime or defending against a lawsuit a. criminal case b. misdemeanor c. defendant d. prosecutor e. civil laws f. preponderance of the evidence g. Felony h. Plaintiff

The Trial of the Century

The Case of … OJ Simpson

Ron Goldman

Assignment Scoring 4 Effectively and completely addresses the prompt 3 Adequately addresses the prompt 2 Partially addresses the prompt 1 Minimally addresses the prompt. 0 Does not address the prompt

What’s the difference between a civil and a criminal conviction? OJ Simpson was found not guilty in a criminal trial but was held liable for a victim’s death in a civil trial Why? Two different cases in different courts, involving different laws, and different burdens of proof