Criminal Negligence

The following are some examples of a person acting with criminal negligence:

• swiping at someone’s hand while he/she is holding a loaded gun,
• driving a car at top speeds while texting,
• firing a weapon in the air during a celebration at a park, and
• leaving a child in an unattended car in hot weather.

The crime of involuntary manslaughter is a textbook case of criminal negligence. A person commits this act when he or she engages in conduct that causes the death of another human being as a result of his or her criminal negligence.

• he/she kills someone unintentionally and
• does so via criminal negligence or in the commission of a crime that is not a felony.

For example, a woman might retrieve her loaded weapon and threaten her spouse with it during a conflict with him. The gun fires by accident, killing the husband. In this scenario, the female is guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She unintentionally shot and killed her spouse, and she was criminally negligent in doing so. She engaged in extremely dangerous behavior that placed her husband’s life in danger.

What Is The Difference Between Criminal And Civil Negligence?

What’s the difference between criminal and civil negligence? A crime punishable by jail time is known as criminal negligence. Civil negligence is a tort in which the offender may be required to pay monetary damages to the victim.

The term “Civil negligence” is a catch-all for instances of inattentiveness, carelessness, or worse yet, intentional wrongdoing. When negligence has been established by the facts (for example, if someone was drunk and drove into your car), an injured person can seek compensation from the defendant for any harm caused.

Conduct that is less than what a reasonable person would do in the same situation is considered civil negligence if it causes injury or damage to someone else. Civil neglect differs from criminal negligence in that:

• just short of reasonableness, and
• is not a drastic departure from how a reasonable person would act.

The two conducts also differ in terms of:

• the level of proof involved, and
• the punishment for each.

Level Of Proof

In a civil case involving personal injury, negligence is once again evidenced. Criminal negligence may be established in criminal court.

In the legal context, a plaintiff must demonstrate “a preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant was negligent. This implies that it is more probable than not that the defendant was careless.

In a criminal case, the prosecutor must satisfy the court that the defendant is guilty “to a moral certainty.” This is a higher burden of proof than in a civil lawsuit. It implies that:

• the defendant acted with criminal negligence, and
• there can be no other explanation besides that fact.

Punishment

In a civil case, if the defendant is found to have acted with negligence, he or she must compensate the plaintiff. This is money paid to the complainant as compensation for any losses incurred.

In criminal cases, those who are negligent may be sentenced to county jail. They can also be sanctioned by:

• fines,
• probation, or
• community service.

How Is Criminal Negligence Related To The Intent Of A Person?

Criminal negligence, in contrast to intentional wrongdoing, implies merely that the defendant did not intend to harm another person. In most criminal cases, a defendant must have criminal intent known as mens rea to be guilty. To be criminally negligent, a defendant must act deliberately, intentionally or under some other condition than normal care (mens rea).

In a court of law, for instance, the prosecutor must show that the defendant murdered someone and had knowledge that his actions would result in death, but did it intentionally.

In A Criminal Negligence Lawsuit, What Is The Degree Of Proof?

A lesser “burden of proof” is required in civil negligence cases, as opposed to criminal negligence cases. A plaintiff in a civil negligence case just needs to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant was negligent. The phrase “preponderance of evidence” in this context simply implies that the defendant was more likely than not to have acted negligently.

However, in a case of criminal negligence, the prosecutor will have to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

The phrase “beyond a reasonable doubt” refers to the highest level of proof accepted in a court of law. In this example, it implies that the evidence is so compelling that no other logical explanation exists but for the fact that the defendant acted criminally negligent.

How Are Criminal Negligence Cases Filed?

Only the government can bring a criminal negligence claim. The prosecutorial authority that has jurisdiction over the issue must review the facts and determine whether to pursue criminal charges. The burden of proof in a criminal case is “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is the highest standard. The elements of the case must all be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, therefore you’ll need an experienced and aggressive personal injury lawyer to do it for you.

Contact Texas Personal Injury Lawyers

We can help you or a loved one if you have been hurt in an accident and need legal representation to fight for and obtain compensation involving criminal negligence claim. We work on many personal injury cases ranging from vehicle accidents to pedestrian collisions, and much more. Call Texas Personal Injury Lawyers for your free consultation right away. 

Call us at (888) 997-2148 for your free consultation. We take cases on a contingency fee basis and there are no costs unless we win, and the consultation is completely free.