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Simple English definitions for legal terms
case
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A quick definition of case:
A case is a legal situation where two or more people or groups have a problem that needs to be solved by a judge or a court. It can be a civil case, which is when two people or groups with equal power have a disagreement, or a criminal case, which is when the government accuses someone of breaking the law. In a civil case, the judge decides who is right and who is wrong, while in a criminal case, the government tries to prove that someone did something wrong and should be punished.
A more thorough explanation:
Case
A case is a legal proceeding that can be either civil or criminal. It can also be called an action, suit, or controversy, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the dispute.
In a civil case, two parties with equal status are involved, such as a case between two citizens or a case between a citizen and a corporation. For example, if a person sues a company for breach of contract, it would be a civil case.
In a criminal case, two parties with different statuses are involved. One party, the prosecutor, represents the State, while the other party, the defendant, is generally an individual or a corporation. For example, if a person is charged with robbery, it would be a criminal case.
The "case or controversy" requirement in federal court means that there must be an actual dispute between the parties that can be resolved by a court.
- A person sues their neighbor for property damage caused by a fallen tree.
- A company is sued by a former employee for wrongful termination.
- A person is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
- A corporation is charged with violating environmental regulations.
These examples illustrate the different types of cases that can be brought to court. The first two examples are civil cases, while the last two are criminal cases. In each case, there is a dispute between two parties that needs to be resolved by a court.