Also known as the burden of proof, the standard of guilt is one of the most important parts of criminal and civil law alike. Because of the significant difference in the severity of punishments between civil and criminal cases, the standards vary greatly between these types of cases.
Suffering an injury caused by someone else’s negligent actions can be a very trying time in your life. A skilled and committed personal injury attorney can help you hold these negligent individuals responsible so you can recover financial compensation. For more information about the standard of guilt and how it applies to your case, contact the Oklahoma personal injury lawyers of the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
Difference between Civil and Criminal Standards of Guilt
Because of the considerable difference in severity between punishments associated with criminal and civil cases, the standard of guilt varies accordingly. The difference between civil and criminal standard of proof includes the following:
- Criminal Court – Of the two cases, criminal cases have the highest burden of proof or standard of guilt. Because a conviction can result in serious penalties and jail time, the jury has to know the defendant is guilty “beyond reasonable doubt.”
- Civil Court – Civil cases have a much lower standard of guilt and only requires the plaintiff to prove the defendant acted negligently with a 51 percent degree of certainty.
Understanding this difference can be critical to the development of your personal injury case.
Contact Us
At the Abel Law Firm, our Oklahoma personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you fight for the financial compensation you deserve. To talk about the standard of proof and your case, contact us today at (405) 239-7046.
