[News] Criminal case vs Civil case

[Lenny Rider]

Reading all the ongoing Conor McGregor so what is the actual difference between a civil and a criminal case?

I know Ron Goldman’s family won a civil case against OJ Simpson after his criminal acquittal but in light of the events in Ireland last week does this mean that the Garda can come after McGregor with criminal charges?

 

[happypig]

Simple answer, in a criminal case the burden of proof has to be "beyond reasonable doubt". In a civil case it's "on the balance of probability".

Beyond reasonable doubt means you must be sure he did it. Balance of probability means you think he probably did.

 

[wellquickwoody]

A successful CIVIL prosecution would allow for financial compensation to be sought. A CRIMINAL conviction would result in punishment on behalf of the state, possibly prison etc..

I think.

 

[Man of Harveys]

My limited understanding is that a criminal case is always brought by the state - because you’ve maybe broken its laws. So the plaintiff is always the Crown. A civil case is always brought by someone else, another individual or a company: a former band member who thinks you owe them money etc.

If it helps to visualise it, in London the former are dealt with at the Old Bailey, the latter in the Strand.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

My limited understanding is that a criminal case is always brought by the state - because you’ve maybe broken its laws. So the plaintiff is always the Crown. A civil case is always brought by someone else, another individual or a company: a former band member who thinks you owe them money etc.

If it helps to visualise it, in London the former are dealt with at the Old Bailey, the latter in the Strand.

This is correct. Nothing complicated here

Civil = individual v individual
Criminal = Crown (or you could call it the state) v individual

In a civil case, someone has bought an action, usually to gain compensation

 

[martin tyler]

Anyone can privately prosecute someone it doesn’t have to be brought about by the state. It’s unusual to do so but it does happen.
Main difference really is the end goal. Criminal proceedings state led or private are seeking a punishment for the offence. These must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Civil proceedings are usually looking for a remedy to the case (normally compensation but there can be other remedies the claimant is looking for) and are proved on balance of probabilities. So 51% is enough to swing it your way.

 

[Bodian]

Occasionally stuff that comes out in a civil case can then actually lead to a criminal case being raised.

 

[Gwylan]

Anyone can privately prosecute someone it doesn’t have to be brought about by the state. It’s unusual to do so but it does happen.

As Reform are planning to do with the Manchester Airport incident.