What is the difference between ‘parole’ and ‘probation’?  Between ‘civil’ and ‘criminal’?  Between ‘plaintiff’ and ‘defendant’?  Sometimes differences bring us together…in court. Attorneys remove the emotion so their clients can take the necessary steps to move through a legal problem.  Decisions in a legal conflict are not easy to make on your own.  Whether you are losing your house to foreclosure or divorcing a lousy husband…or even if you robbed a store…these can be emotional matters where understanding the differences is only the beginning.  A lawyer can reframe the situation into business terms to help you look at the possible choices and consequences.   The difference between the ‘plaintiff’ and the ‘defendant’ is the difference between the person who brings an action against another (the ‘plaintiff’) and the person against whom the action is brought (the ‘defendant’) in a civil case.* Procedures in a ‘civil’ and ‘criminal’ trial are basically the same; however, in a criminal case, the persons bringing the action are the people of the State of Florida, represented by the ‘prosecutor,’ and the ‘defendant’ is the one accused of breaking the law.* ‘Parole’ and ‘probation’ are often similar with restrictions and obligations connected with a criminal action; [...] Read More