Categories of Law and Their Distinctions

There are three primary categories of law:
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Administrative Law

Definition: Involves injustices against the people of the state.
Initiation: Cases are filed by the state or federal government against an individual accused of committing a crime.
Example: A person charged with assault and battery could face criminal charges.

Definition: Initiated by one party (the plaintiff) seeking redress for harm caused by another party (the defendant).
Types: Largely based on tort and contract law.
Examples of Civil Cases:
- Products liability cases
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Probate actions (legal processes regarding deceased estates)
- Domestic relations cases (family law issues)
Monetary Relief:
- Definition: The plaintiff seeks money (damages) for the harm caused by the defendant.
- Requirement: The plaintiff must quantify the actual harm in dollar figures.
Equitable Relief:
- Sometimes, plaintiffs do not seek monetary relief but wish for the court to order an action (known as relief).
- Types of Relief:
- Injunction:
  - Definition: A court order to stop a harm or prevent a wrong.
  - Examples:
  - Environmental groups seeking to prevent logging.
  - A homeowner seeking to stop a noisy neighbor.
- Specific Performance:
  - Definition: A request for the court to compel someone to fulfill their obligations in a contract.
  - Examples:
  - Enforcing a real estate sale agreement.
  - Ordering the transfer of unique personal property, such as a collectible item (e.g., a Babe Ruth baseball card).

A person can be subjected to both criminal charges and civil lawsuits for the same action (e.g., assault and battery case).

Definition: Comprises the rules established by agencies of the executive branch of government, often referred to as regulatory agencies.