Cases that are held in Criminal and Civil Court

Sample Solution

   

George Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. On February 26, 2012, he shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager. Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder, but he was acquitted by a jury in July 2013.

The case sparked a national debate about race and self-defense. Many people believe that Zimmerman was justified in shooting Martin, while others believe that he should have been convicted of murder.

Full Answer Section

    Criminal vs. civil trials Criminal trials are held to determine whether a person has committed a crime and should be punished. Civil trials are held to determine who is liable for damages in a dispute. The burden of proof is higher in criminal trials than in civil trials. In a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil trial, the plaintiff must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, which means that it is more likely than not that the plaintiff is right. Criminal defendants also have more rights than civil defendants. For example, criminal defendants have the right to a jury trial, the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney. Civil defendants do not have all of these same rights. Ethics of giving criminal defendants more legal protection There are several arguments in favor of giving criminal defendants more legal protection than civil defendants. One argument is that criminal defendants are more likely to be innocent than civil defendants. In a criminal trial, the defendant is facing the possibility of going to jail, which is a much more serious consequence than losing a civil case. Another argument is that criminal defendants need more protection because the government is the one bringing the charges against them. The government has more resources than a private individual, so it is important to make sure that criminal defendants have a fair chance to defend themselves. However, there are also arguments against giving criminal defendants more legal protection than civil defendants. One argument is that it can lead to guilty people going free. If the burden of proof is too high, it can be difficult to convict criminals, even if they are guilty. Another argument is that it can make it difficult to hold people accountable for their actions. If civil defendants have fewer rights, it can be harder for them to be sued for damages. This can make it more difficult to compensate victims of wrongdoing. Why did the criminal trial of George Zimmerman take place before the civil trial? The criminal trial of George Zimmerman took place before the civil trial because the criminal charges against him had to be resolved first. In the United States, criminal cases take precedence over civil cases. This is because the government has a higher interest in prosecuting criminals than in compensating victims. The criminal trial of George Zimmerman was also a high-profile case, and it was important to resolve it quickly. The civil trial could have waited until after the criminal trial was over. Conclusion There are both ethical and practical reasons for giving criminal defendants more legal protection than civil defendants. The decision of whether or not to give a defendant more legal protection is a complex one, and there is no easy answer.