In a criminal case, a judge sentences a defendant who is found guilty by a jury. The judge must follow the sentencing guidelines established by current criminal law. Within those sentencing guidelines, the judge has some discretion. Legal penalties in a criminal case may include incarceration, probation and fines.
In a civil case, a defendant who is found liable for an act of wrongdoing can be ordered by the jury to pay damages (financial compensation) to the plaintiff. Compensation can be awarded for quantifiable losses such as medical bills, or for subjective losses such as pain and suffering. Sometimes, a jury may award additional punitive damages.
At Grand Canyon University, you can explore both civil and criminal law when you enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies program. Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this program provides an in-depth look at public policy, threat assessment and criminal behavioral while encouraging students to build their critical thinking and communication skills. To learn more, visit our website or click on the Request More Information at the top of the page.