Criminal, Civil, Constitutional and Administrative Law
CRIMINAL LAW
CIVIL LAW
• Legal action is initiate by the government against the defendant
• The party bringing a criminal action (the government) is called the prosecution
• The prosecution must prove the guilt of the defendant “beyond reasonable doubt”
• The punishment in criminal law can be incarceration, a fine, or even the death penalty.
• Legal action is initiated by one private individual against another
• The party bringing a civil action is called the plaintiff
• To prevail, the plaintiff must demonstrate its claim by a "preponderance of evidence”, meaning that the plaintiff must show that it is more likely than not that his or her claims are true.
• The loosing party is typically required to pay money damages.
Directions: For each action or issue listed below, decide whether it would fall under the jurisdiction of criminal, civil, constitutional, or administrative law. Then right the number of each action or issue in the appropriate chart column.
An armed robber holds up a service station.
A couple wants a friendly divorce.
A mayor wants to put up a nativity scene at Town Hall.
A store owner burns down his store to collect insurance money.
The Food and Drug Administration finds that a new drug has a potentially dangerous side effect.
A woman breaks her leg on a neighbour’s snow-covered walkway.
An African American is repeatedly passed over for promotion, despite her qualifications.
A writer breaks her contract with a publishing company.
The National Highway Traffic Administration makes airbag cutoff switches legal.
A woman sells drugs to three teenagers.
A group wants to stop a Military parade.
A man kills another man over money.
The Department of Labour wants to raise the minimum wage.
A child is hurt when a high chair collapses.
A teenager is killed in a gang fight.
A child runs away from home.
A driver hits a pedestrian and flees the scene of the accident.
A magazine publishes a false story claiming a movie star abused his children.
Criminal Law
Civil Law
Constitutional Law
Administrative Law
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