Understanding Criminal And Civil Law
Any paralegal going to work for an active litigator in the
United States will likely perform their job under one of two branches of the
law: criminal or civil. Both branches of the law represent two entirely
different forms of legal practice, and though they have many similarities, they
serve entirely different purposes in the American legal system.
Criminal law is the branch of law that pertains specifically to violations of
the laws of the state. Cases contested under criminal law will almost
always involve a representative of the state taking legal actions against an
individual or group based upon the latter having violated a criminal statute.
Criminal statutes are laws in which the behavior of society is restricted
within civilized parameters. To put it more simply, it enforces good behavior,
and punishes bad. Prosecutors in a criminal matter represent the state
and its citizens; while by proxy that may include a wronged party, generally
speaking the prosecutor is not a legal representative for any victims of
a criminal violation.
In criminal cases, the purpose of the prosecution's case is to see that sanctions
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