To put it simply, criminal cases involve allegations that someone committed an act that, while perhaps committed against an individual, is thought to be harmful to society as a whole. They cases are brought by the government and usually punishable by jail, probation, and fines. Civil case involve mostly disputes that are just between individuals and/or corporations and involve suing for money damages. The goal of a civil lawyer is to bring or defend against a private lawsuit that claims someone is owed some kind of financial compensation. Civil law typically doesn’t deal with jail sentences, probation, or parole supervision. Conversely, a Long Island criminal lawyer will be defending a client who has been accused, arrested, and charged with an offense that has been deemed as committed against society at large (which is why the cases are brought by the “People of the State of New York” or the “United State of America”). The goal of a criminal lawyer is to defend his or her client from crimes that can carry punishments including fines, probation supervision, or even time in prison.