While some claims will fall solely under the umbrella of a crime and some claims will fall solely under the jurisdiction of civil law, many claims can fall into both categories. A person or party can be accused and tried for the same offense in separate criminal and civil cases. Typically, the criminal trial will be completed before a civil trial for the same offense. The outcome of the criminal trial is not supposed to have any bearing on the information provided nor is it supposed to be used to determine the outcome of the civil case. For example, a person can be acquitted of a crime but be found guilty in a civil lawsuit for the same crime.

Civil Law

There are many, many different practice areas for civil law and within these many different areas, there are even more specific sub-areas that an attorney or law firm may specialize in.

The following is not an exhaustive list but it includes some of the more common practice areas of civil law:

  • Anti-trust Litigation
  • Arbitration
  • Aviation Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Construction Liability Disputes
  • Corporate Law
  • Education Law
  • Employment and Labor Disputes
  • Energy and Infrastructure Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Gaming Law
  • Healthcare Law and Clinical Negligence
  • Human Rights Law
  • Immigration Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Landlord/Tenant Disputes
  • Media Law
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Personal Injury
  • Product Liability
  • Property and Real Estate Law
  • Sports Law
  • Tax Law
  • Wills, Trust and Probate Law
  • Workers Compensation

Criminal Law

State criminal codes and the federal penal code govern criminal law. As a general rule, crimes are typically categorized as either a felonies or misdemeanors.

A felony involves serious misconduct, and lesser crimes are categorized as misdemeanors. Felonies are typically punishable by imprisonment, usually over one year’s length of time. In states that allow the death penalty, a felony may result in this sentencing. Misdemeanors tend to have sentences of less than one year’s jail time and/or with a fine.

State vs Federal

The term state can be confusing when talking about crimes. When it is said that a, crime is a crime against the state, the term state means the government. State can refer to a U.S. state’s, state government, or it can also refer to the government in general. The following lists are not exhaustive but include some of the more common crimes against the state.

State Crimes

Different states have different laws for different offenses but most U.S. states have jurisdiction over the following: DUI/DWI, domestic violence, extortion, murder/manslaughter, possession of fake i.d., aggravated assault and/or battery (including sex crimes), stalking, burglary, and child abuse.

Federal Crimes

Federal courts typically preside over the following: workers compensation fraud; asset forfeiture; environmental violations; credit card fraud; firearm/bomb offenses; immigration/alien related fraud; gambling and internet gambling offenses; possession with intent to sell, contraband items, including illegal drugs and arms; organized crime; tax evasion and fraud; credit card fraud; child pornagraphy; bank fraud; wire fraud; Social Security Disability fraud; workers compensation and unemployment fraud