Criminal Law

• Company Torts
  

Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime. Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes. In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case, the victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both. However, persons found liable in a civil case may only have to give up property or pay money, but are not incarcerated.

A "crime" is any act or omission (of an act) in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it. Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes under the different laws worldwide are established by local, state, and federal governments. Criminal laws vary significantly from state to state. The role of Legal Advisor of our law firm in Italy (Milan, Bologna, Rome) in the typical situation is to provide guidance.

Crimes include both felonies (more serious offences — such as murder or rape) and misdemeanours (less serious offences — such as petty theft or jaywalking). Felonies are usually crimes punishable by imprisonment for years, while misdemeanours are crimes punishable by less than one year. However, no act is a crime if it has not been previously established as such by statute law.