I Oj was seen as not guilty for his wifes murder...and when not guilty I mean he did not do it.....then why is he ordered to pay 33 million dollars? What has happened to the law in the United States? Guess the laws dont keep us free here after all...not That I know what freedom is this day in age...can someone explain this to me?
2007-10-06 21:18:24 · 7 answers · asked by Sandy B 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I see the judicial system as nothing but a school yard bully.
It's completely impotent when attempting to convict anyone who can afford the scummiest of lawyers, but oh, it's pretty tough against people who can't.
And if victims can only find justice in civil court then why not just do away with criminal court altogether. It's only for kangaroos anyway.
2007-10-06 21:25:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
There are two different standards of proof in civil and criminal cases. In a criminal case, the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In a civil case, however, the person doing the suing must only prove the case "upon the preponderance of the evidence." This means that it must only be more likely than not that the claim they made in the suit is correct.
So, OJ was not guilty of murder, but was responsible in the wrongful death of his wife. The 33 million dollars is not a FINE placed by the government, it goes to the families of the persons whose deaths he caused.
2007-10-06 21:26:53 · answer #2 · answered by Citicop 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Unfortunately there is a criminal court, and a civil court. In a civil court case, there is less burden of proof, much easier to convict someone that way. Less unianimous decision on the part of jurors for an outcome.
In reality it is just a clever way to get around double jeopardy.
Personally, I don't know OJ or Nicole, so I don't know if he's guilty or not. What I do know is that he was found not guilty in a court of law and therefore it should be illegal for him to be publically treated in any other fashion...or anyone else who's found not guilty in a court of law.
But you know what? It doesn't really matter because people are going to think whatever they want to think regardless of what their court system decides...when a person is found guilty that the public THINKS its guilty then the "jury got it right", but when the jury decides that that person is not guilty the "the jury must have got it wrong"....
If guilt or innocence is to be decided by public opinion rather than a court, why not just go back to lynching people we THINK are guilty rather than spend so much money on a trial...thats what people would rather happen anyway, no?
Again, I dont know OJ...I dont give a rats **** if he's guilty or not in reality...he was found not guilty, thats all that matters.
By the way its no secret that if you are white you automatically think OJ is guilty, and if you are black you automatically think he's innocent....shows you just how ignorant people are.
2007-10-06 21:30:42 · answer #3 · answered by fortwynt 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's called civil litigation. The $33 million was the settlement from the civil lawsuit. The one where he was FORCED to take the stand. There is no 5th amendment privilege in civil cases. I am sure he looked awful on the stand in that case which probably played a key rule in the verdict of "liable", not guilty.
2007-10-06 21:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by suspendedagain300 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are correct he was found not guilty in the criminal case.
the family decided to sue in cival court for a wrongful death case and oj was found guilty of their deaths . the jury awarded 33M, i think ? o j did not / has not want to pay them, so the family is allowed to sue to get any property or income that he has until that judgement is fulfilled.
2007-10-06 21:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mildred S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He was found guilty of wrongful death in civil court after the famous t.v. trial was over. In civil court the actual evidence holds more weight than testimony.
Now I'll bet you feel pretty stupid! Well, at least you should.
O.J.'s a murdering scumbag!
2007-10-06 21:27:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
He was found responsible for the deaths in a civil lawsuit after he was found not guilty in the criminal lawsuit. Criminal courts and lawsuits are separate/different from civil courts and lawsuits.
Perhaps you should do a little research on the US legal system before you badmouth it.
2007-10-06 21:25:32 · answer #7 · answered by Sordenhiemer 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋