The Differences Between Civil and Criminal Actions
Civil and Criminal Actions 2
Abstract
Civil actions protect individuals rather than the public. Civil actions protect the people, the injury in civil actions is primarily towards the individual, causing no harm to society. While criminal actions prohibits conduct that causes or threatens the public interest, defines and warns people of the acts that are subject to criminal punishments, distinguishes between serious and minor offenses, and imposes punishment to protect society and to satisfy the demands for retribution, rehabilitation and deterrence. (Lippman, 2007)
In this paper, I will discuss the …show more content…
Nicole’s acquaintance Ronald Goldman was repeatedly stabbed about thirty times, Brown’s condominium on Bundy Drive. O.J was accused of these murders, during the trial witness arisen that referred to him as an abusive partner. The criminal trial lasted for 99 days, after the jury’s three hour deliberation, Simpson was found not guilty of the crimes. O.J
Simpson didn’t have the intent to kill his wife and Goldman, he was acquitted of those charges.
Although there were witnesses in his criminal trial that demonstrated his motive and his history of domestic abuse. The jury was not convinced beyond reasonable doubt that actus reus and mens rea were present in the defendant at the time the alleged crime was committed. The actus reus must be present for a criminal conviction to exist without criminal action there can be no crime. This murder is mala in se because this crime directly and visibly hurt Ronald Goldman and Nicole Simpson. Mala in se signifies crime that is considered wrong in and of itself. While
Simpson was acquitted for the murders he was held responsibly by the civil court. In the civil trial, after seventeen hours of deliberation, the jury concluded using the preponderance of the evidence test applicable in civil cases that