Law
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Criminal Case?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A criminal case is a court case in which someone is tried for engaging in activity that has been outlawed by the legislature or the government because it is deemed antisocial in nature. The accused in such a case is considered to have committed a crime against the government in addition to a crime against an individual. If convicted, the accused in a criminal case may be ordered to pay a fine, go to jail, perform community service, or complete other aspects of a sentence, such as attending a substance abuse treatment program.

The process of trying a criminal case starts with an offense and a victim reporting the offense to law enforcement. Law enforcement officers collect information about the offense and send it to a prosecutor, who is an employee of the government. The prosecutor determines whether or not there are grounds to move forward with a criminal case. In nations that use a grand jury, the prosecutor must bring a list of charges known as an indictment to the grand jury, which rules on the validity of the indictment to authorize a trial.

Judges preside over criminal trials.
Judges preside over criminal trials.

In criminal cases, victims do not decide whether or not the case is prosecuted in court. This decision is up to the prosecutor. The victim may be asked to serve as a witness to provide information. There is a high standard of proof in criminal cases and the defendant is entitled to a jury and to have a lawyer provided by the government if one cannot be afforded. There are numerous protections in criminal cases that are designed to ensure that the accused is fairly represented in court.

A person who is convicted of a crime may be ordered to serve jail time.
A person who is convicted of a crime may be ordered to serve jail time.

In civil cases, people are tried for committing wrongs against each other, such as failing to exercise due care in business transactions or depriving people of something to which they are entitled by right. These wrongs do not necessarily harm society as a whole. The standard of proof is lower in civil cases and the accused is not entitled to a lawyer or to a jury. The outcome of a civil case also differs from a criminal case. Although a fine can be imposed after a conviction, the convicted person cannot be imprisoned.

In most instances, the judge in a criminal case is responsible for communicating special instructions to the jury.
In most instances, the judge in a criminal case is responsible for communicating special instructions to the jury.

It is possible for someone to be tried for an action in a criminal case and also in a civil case. A classic example is a murder. The murder is regarded as a crime against society, so it is prosecuted as a criminal case. However, it is also harms the family of the victim, which may take the accused to court to sue for damages.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

subway11

Sunny27-This case was televised on national television everyday so Americans all over the country were following this case.

OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. However, many Americans felt that he received a dose of celebrity justice and was actually guilty of the crimes, but was just able to afford the best lawyers that money can buy.

Others felt that the case was lost in the jury selection process because the jury actually felt more sympathy with the defendant and were captivated by his celebrity which is not what you want the jury to be if you are the prosecution.

Sunny27

The top criminal cases are those that fall under federal criminal cases that are so egregious that people cannot believe it. Among the most popular criminal cases are the Bernie Madoff case as well as the OJ Simpson case.

In Bernie Madoff’s case, he was accused and convicted of swindling billions of dollars from investors and was probably the most horrific financial crime ever committed.

So many people lost their life savings that when it came time for sentencing, Madoff received over a hundred years in prison, on top of the restitution that he was forced to pay his victims.

He really made the financial statements that he sent his investors look real and when they saw the high returns it encouraged them to invest even more money.

I also think that another case that may be considered one of the top criminal cases was the OJ Simpson case.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Judges preside over criminal trials.
      By: apops
      Judges preside over criminal trials.
    • A person who is convicted of a crime may be ordered to serve jail time.
      By: Sascha Burkard
      A person who is convicted of a crime may be ordered to serve jail time.
    • In most instances, the judge in a criminal case is responsible for communicating special instructions to the jury.
      By: Corgarashu
      In most instances, the judge in a criminal case is responsible for communicating special instructions to the jury.
    • Victims may be asked to serve as a witness and provide more information during a criminal case.
      By: bertys30
      Victims may be asked to serve as a witness and provide more information during a criminal case.
    • Individuals suspected of a crime may be subjected to questioning to get more information.
      By: donserhio
      Individuals suspected of a crime may be subjected to questioning to get more information.