If you or a loved one has been seeking legal representation, you’ve probably read or heard the terms “civil law,” “criminal law,” and “defense lawyer” and seen them used interchangeably. In fact, civil law and criminal law are very different types of disputes with different goals and outcomes, and while criminal prosecutors and defense lawyers are both educated in criminal law, policing, and court procedures, they are not the same.

At JPS Law, we are Lexington’s trusted defense lawyers. We pride ourselves on our ability to break down legal key terms and make them easier to understand for our clients. So if you’re confused about the differences between different types of law, read on as we break down what separates these different branches of legal practices from one another.

What is Criminal Law?

Kentucky's criminal laws are codified in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). These laws define specific crimes, establish penalties, and outline procedural rules for criminal cases in the state. Of course, criminal lawyers must be educated in both their state and federal laws, as well as local court procedures. In any criminal case, the prosecution must prove the defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." The end result of these cases can be jail, restitution, a monetary fine, community service, completion of a class, or hopefully dismissal of the charges.

What is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A criminal defense lawyer like our team at JPS Law are legal professionals who specialize in defending individuals charged with criminal offenses. Defense lawyers ensure that the rights of the accused are protected and that they receive a fair and timely trial by an impartial court or by a jury of their peers.

A defense lawyer works on crafting a defense strategy—at times, conducting their own witness interviews and concurrent investigations to support their defense. A criminal defense attorney also acts as an advisor to their client throughout the process, giving them the full range of potential options and consequences for their decisions. Meanwhile, the defense lawyer is also filing forms and documents for the client in court proceedings, and advocating for their case in arraignments, pretrial hearings, preliminary hearings, and trials.

At JPS Law, criminal defense law is our focus. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, then contact us to discuss your case with a member of our team.

What is Civil Law?

Unlike criminal law that handles cases between the government and a defendant, civil law encompasses disputes between two different sides and does not involve the government prosecuting an individual on either side. Some civil cases are adjudicated in front of a judge and some require both sides to seek counsel from experienced civil court attorneys. Usually, the end result of these cases is an exchange of money. These types of cases are referred to as “filing a lawsuit,” or “getting sued.”

While some legal actions can result in both civil and criminal cases, these types of cases are often independent from one another—though evidence from a criminal case could potentially be used in a civil case or vice versa. At JPS Law, we are familiar with working across teams if you are seeking a criminal defense lawyer for a criminal case and have already worked with a different lawyer on the civil case.

Contact Us to Learn More

At JPS Law, our experienced defense attorneys in Lexington, Kentucky, specialize in criminal defense. We understand the nuances of Kentucky’s criminal law statutes and are happy to work with our clients to help them receive a fair and impartial judgement.

If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges or if you have questions about a specific legal situation, contact our office for a confidential consultation. Our knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyers are on your side to protect your rights and secure the best outcomes for your case.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about legal topics and services. The information herein should not be construed as legal advice, and readers should not act upon this information regarding their individual case without seeking professional counsel like that from our team at JPS Law.