Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Criminal and Civil Procedure

I was just wondering if a person that is on trial for a criminal offense can be sued at the same time by somebody who is not even involved in the criminal case?

For example, a person is on trial for murdering somebody, and a person, not having anything to do with the murder case, decides to sue the criminal suspect for something like defamation or negligence? Can Civil and Criminal trials, not even having anything to do with each other happen at the same exact time?

Thank you to who ever answers this.


Asked on 1/13/08, 10:27 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Criminal and Civil Procedure

Of course. Scheduling coordination is the only issue.

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Answered on 1/14/08, 1:27 pm
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Criminal and Civil Procedure

Sure. It kind of makes life difficult, though, as most of the concentration probably is on the criminal case.

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Answered on 1/13/08, 10:34 pm
John Steele Steele Law Firm

Re: Criminal and Civil Procedure

Of course.

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Answered on 1/13/08, 11:01 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Criminal and Civil Procedure

The trials probably couldn't happen simultaneously, but the cases could be pending at the same time. There is no reason why criminal defendants should be immune from civil suits, regardless of whether those suits are related to the criminal case.

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Answered on 1/14/08, 12:39 am


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