Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
Below, we discuss the many differences between civil court and criminal court and what you can expect when you’re ready to obtain the justice you’re entitled to after an injury.
Who Represents the Interests of the Victim?
Whenever there is an incident of some kind and someone suffers a serious injury, those who are responsible for causing the injury should be held accountable for their negligence. One significant difference between civil claims and criminal cases is who represents the interests of the victim.
In a civil lawsuit, it is up to you as the victim to work with an attorney who can bring a personal injury claim against the negligent party. This will enable you to obtain compensation for your losses. In a criminal case, the prosecution may bring charges against the person who harmed you—if that harm was the result of some kind of criminal action.
The Burden of Proof
The burden of proof, or what is needed for the court to render a “guilty” verdict, is different in civil and criminal cases.
In a civil lawsuit, the attorney representing your interests will need to prove based on a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is at fault for your damages. Essentially, this means that evidence needs to demonstrate that the defendant is more likely than not at fault for your injuries.
This is very different from a criminal trial, in which the prosecutor needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. “Beyond a reasonable doubt” means that there is no other reasonable explanation for the events that transpired—other than the guilt of the defendant.
What a Guilty Verdict Means
In a criminal case, a guilty verdict means that the defendant is going to be penalized for their actions. The penalties can vary widely, depending on the type of crime the defendant has been convicted of. Possible penalties include fines, probation, community service, drug or alcohol rehabilitation courses, other forms of counseling, jail time, or even imprisonment.
However, in a civil lawsuit, when the defendant is found liable for your losses, this means that they’ll be responsible for compensating you for the damages you endured. Such damages could include the following:
- The loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
- The loss of companionship and love
- The effects of disfigurement or scarring
- Your lost wages
- The loss of household services
- The damage to your future potential earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
It’s also worth noting that you can bring a civil lawsuit against the liable party in addition to any criminal charges they might be facing. No matter what the verdict is in criminal court, pursuing the compensation you’re entitled in civil court is an option if someone else caused your injuries through negligence.
Talk to a Lakeland Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’ve suffered serious injuries in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else and you aren’t sure where to turn, reach out to a qualified Lakeland personal injury lawyer at Lopez & Humphries, PA.
We proudly offer potential clients a free consultation, during which we can discuss the details of your case. You can schedule your consultation today by calling our office at (863) 774-3573 or by completing the convenient contact form we’ve included below.
