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How can Simpson acquitted in a criminal trial and be held liable in a civil trail?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
To be convicted criminally, the jury must find that the state proved that he committed murder beyond a reasonable doubt. To find him culpable for wrongful death in a civil trial, the jury only must find that it is more likely than not that he caused the death.
The standard of proof is different.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe criminal trial of OJ Simpson is an excellent example of American justice gone wrong. The criteria for a guilty verdict in a criminal trial is much harder to obtain. The jury must find the evidence sufficient beyond a reasonable doubt. The civil trial, which is really about money, is far easier to prove. Although I doubt that the Goldmans and Browns have received any money despite having won their case.
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Did the victims family get justice from O J Simpson?
O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in a criminal trial. However, their families obtained a civil judgment against him for wrongful death. So, while criminal justice was not served, there was some form of accountability in the civil trial.
What is an example of a civil and criminal case?
Civil and Criminal cases are never litigated at the same time in the same court. However, the same transaction (or sequence of events) may lead to both civil and criminal proceedings. For example, O.J. Simpson was prosecuted and subsequently acquitted for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in a criminal court. However, he was sued for wrongful death by the families of the victims, found liable, and ordered to pay damages in a later civil suit.
The judgment given by the jury?
It is called the verdict. In a criminal case it will be Guilty or Not Guilty. In a civil case it will be Liable or Not Liable.
What year was OJ Simpson accused of killing his wife?
OJ Simpson was not arrested due to the civil trial. Civil court differs from criminal court and usually the winner receives a monetary settlement for suffering and damages. Simpson was ordered to pay the Browns and Goldmans multiple millions for the death of their loved ones but as far as I know he has never payed a cent. But for the families the civil trial was a victory of sorts. The civil jury found him responsible for the deaths of Nichol Brown and Ron Goldman.
Is there a difference between guilty and liable?
Guilty and Liable both mean that you are responsible by law. However, you are "liable" in civil cases and determined "guilty" in criminal cases. There is also a difference between state (liable) and federal (guilty).
Can a person be sued in tort and also charged in criminal court?
Yes, perhaps the most well known case of that happening is the OJ Simpson situation where he was found not guilty in a criminal case of murdering his ex-wife and another man, and he was found civilly liable for their deaths. For information on the civil and criminal processes please see the related links below.
Can defendant accused of violating the criminal law also be sued in civil court?
Yes, even if he's found innocent in criminal court. OJ Simpson for example.
How does a jury state their conclusion in a civil case?
Juries are rarely used in civil cases. (In England that is anyway) If they are (which literally is only in EXTREME circumstances) then it will be the same procedure as in a criminal case except the jury will find the defendant liable, or not liable, as opposed to guilty or not guilty.
What is the difference in criminal case and civil case?
A criminal case occurs when someone breaks a law. A civil case occurs when two people, or two groups of people have an unresolvable dispute of a certain kind. For example, O.J Simpson was tried in a criminal court for being accused of breaking a law, namely, murder. He was found not guilty by the jury, and was released. But - the family of his wife, whom he was accused of killing, sued him as a civil action or case, and the jury found Simpson had culpability in the murder of his wife, and the family was awarded millions for pain and suffering that Simpson was ordered to pay them.
Can criminal court decide civil issues?
Yes, this is especially true with accounting/business issues, such as at Enron. Once the court has declared wrongdoing in a civil matter, the DA next looks to hold those responsible for this wrongdoing liable in criminal court.
Can someone file criminal charges while in a civil lawsuit?
Yes. Not only can you file a lawsuit if you have a criminal case pending against you but even if you have been convicted of a crime and are in prison you still have the right to file a civil lawsuit. Your participation in the lawsuit will be restricted by all lawful restraints imposed on you by virtue of being in prison.
Does double jeopardy apply if a person has been charged in a criminal court with Assault by Auto and is being tried in civil court for a DUI?
No, double jeopardy refers to a person being charged again for the same crime after they have been cleared of it. ie. (man acquitted of 1st-degree murder being charged for 1st-degree murder a second time for the same victim). The only way a person can be prosecuted twice is if the second charge is sufficiently different from the first. Being that this is civil vs. criminal there is no double jeopardy here. In this condition, we need an experienced attorney like Sebastian Ohanian for help.A perfect example is OJ Simpson being acquitted of murder but being found guilty in the civil case for his wife/boyfriends death.
