In criminal cases, a victim of a crime does not sue, but rather the State (plaintiff) sues the person allegedly committing the crime (defendant), and the victim becomes a witness in the case.

What is a criminal case?

A criminal case is one in which the local, state or federal government brings an action (lawsuit) in the name of all of its citizens. The plaintiff is the government agency, and it is acting on behalf of the people. The government is represented in court by the local state attorney or the U.S. attorney, depending upon whether the alleged crime is prosecuted in state court or federal court.

Who are the defendants in a criminal case?

In a criminal case, the accused, also known as a “defendant,” is charged with a crime against society — that is, a violation of the laws regulating our conduct, such as murder, assault, conspiracy, theft, DUI, vandalism, robbery, etc. In addition, less serious conduct such as driving without a license may also violate criminal laws.

How does a criminal case proceed?

In a criminal case, the prosecutor or a grand jury decides whether to start proceedings. If a defendant is found guilty, the punishment can be: fines, reimbursement to victims, attending classes to educate the offender on avoiding similar behavior, attendance at drug or alcohol counseling, probation, jail and/or prison. The punishment depends on the circumstances and the type of crime. In cases involving murder where the state has decided to pursue the death penalty, the punishment could be a death sentence and ultimate execution.

What is the burden of proof in a criminal case?

In criminal cases, because the person charged with a crime (defendant) is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, the prosecution must prove the case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This does not mean beyond all possible or speculative doubt, but it does mean the court or jury must have an abiding conviction to a moral certainty of the truth of the charge. Because a person’s liberty and freedom are at stake, the standard for prosecutors proving the case is necessarily a higher burden than the proof required in a civil case.

Who gets to testify in a criminal case?

In criminal cases, the testifying witnesses are just a bit different because a criminal defendant (the accused person) cannot be forced to testify. The accused has the right to remain silent at all stages of the criminal case, from arrest through trial, and also to be represented by an attorney appointed by the court and without charge if the person doesn’t have the means to hire an attorney. In criminal cases, the accused has many rights that defendants in civil cases do not have. Again, this is due in part to the fact that a criminally accused person may lose liberty or freedom and be required to go to jail or prison.

Child Custody & Visitation Rights

Dealing with issues involving custody of children and visitation rights could possibly be the toughest situation both parents face from an emotional and legal viewpoint. When divorcing parents can agree on these problems the end result is always better for the children since it is about cooperation when raising children. Parents of children are going to be working together for a very long time as it is very important to be able to get along and agree on decisions for the children. Having said that, it’s not always possible for both parents to come to an arrangement that everyone is completely comfortable with at all times. If one parent is not prepared to be reasonable, at times they’ll need the family courts of California to settle the disputes.

There are two main forms of custody are physical custody and also legal custody. Legal custody is regarded as the ability to make primary life considerations for the child; these decisions would include education, medical care, extracurricular activities along with religious training. Legal custody is almost always joint, which means both parents get the authority to engage in the considerations of the children and both parents will need to talk about and decisions they decide on for the children.

Physical custody is considered the right to have the child live together with you. Each parent or guardian will be eligible for a certain amount of parenting. The prime physical custodian is the parent that receives the most parenting time. Physical custody can be joint, that means equal, if the parents can consent to splitting the parental time evenly but this arrangement is rarely directed by the court without an agreement of the parties involved.

Visitation rights usually include the other custodian parent receiving weekend visitation rights coupled with holiday and summer parental visitation time. The family courts will certainly provide more parental time whenever partners can come to an agreement to give the parent with visitation rights, more access to the children involved in the divorce.

The Factors Involved with Custody and Visitation Deliberations

When both parents can’t come to an agreement on who gets physical custody and how the visitation rights should be worked out, the family law courts will look at factors like the length of time the children spent with each parent prior to the divorce, what roles each parent participates in the lives of the children and also the conduct of each parent. The courts will want there to be as little change in the child’s life as possible hence the legal courts might want the children to settle with the parent or guardian that has normally been the actual caregiver for the longest period of time, however if this is shown to be detrimental to the well being of the children the courts will provide alternative solutions.

The family law courts will always try to find the best solution for the children involved in the case, even if the decision are only favorable to one parent. The courts will not make judgement on whether they favor the mother or father to retain custody, they will treat each case individually.

For information on concession spaces and sponsorship.

This website is in the process of being updated.

Tickets Reserved Ticket Packages All packages are limited to space available. Ticket package holders from the year prior have first right of refusal on their package if reserved by April 5th.

Thereafter, ticket packages are first-come, first-serve! Children ages 6-12 are admitted free to all areas except Starting Line, Roostertail Club, and Captain’s Club, but must pay park admission (Weekender tickets available FREE at Wendy’s after July 5; or at the gate for $5/day.). Children 5 and under are free.

Captain’s Club Viewing Area

A comfortable weekend in an excellent location. Just East of race course center, this premier area in Columbia Park includes bleacher seating, tables, chairs, shade tents, and great food and drink!

•  Captain’s Club pass for Saturday and Sunday
• Pit access
• Catered lunch on Sunday; snacks on Saturday
• Private margarita bar and beer garden access
• Complimentary pop and water throughout the weekend
• Souvenir t-shirt, race program and booster button lapel pin
• Package price $120. Children 6-12 $35.
• Parking pass to nearby area $20
• Roostertail Club Viewing Area

We’ve rolled out the red carpet for this exclusive Columbia Park viewing area. Enjoy the shade provided by tents and first-class amenities at one of the best seats in the house. Includes:

Roostertail Club ticket for Saturday and Sunday

• Pit access
• Catered lunch on Sunday; snacks on Saturday
• Complimentary pop and water throughout the weekend
• Access to private beer garden
• Souvenir t-shirt, program and booster button lapel pin
• Package price $110. Children 6-12 $35.
• Parking pass to nearby area $20
• Gold 100 Viewing Area

Located on prime race-viewing real estate in Columbia Park! Great for families and friends.

Gold 100 tickets for Saturday and Sunday

• 6 pit passes
• 2 near-by parking spots
• Access to private beer garden
• 1 commemorative souvenir beverage stein
• 1 official race program
• Package price $320 Extra passes (limit 4) $50
• Round Table Viewing Area

Enjoy the races in style under the shade of an umbrella in Columbia Park.

• Round Table tickets for Saturday and Sunday
• 8 pit passes
• 3 near-by parking spots
• Complimentary soft drinks
• 1 commemorative souvenir beverage stein
• 4 official race programs
• Package price $465 Extra passes (limit 2) $55
• Starting Line Club

Next to the officials’ barge in Columbia Park, right in the middle of the racing action!

• Starting Line tickets for Saturday and Sunday
• 2 pit passes
• 1 near-by parking spot
• Donuts and juice in the morning, catered lunch and beverages (soft drinks, water and beer)
• 2 t-shirts, official race programs and Booster Button lapel pins
• 1 commemorative souvenir beverage stein
• Package price $230
• Bulldog Beach Club

From the grassy Pasco river shore, this relaxing haven features shade tents and outstanding viewing.

• Bulldog Beach Club tickets for Saturday and Sunday
• 1 near-by parking spot
• 1 official race program
• Package price $150 Extra passes (limit 2) $35
• RV Hospitality

Camp out where the action is! Just west of the pit area, just a short walk from the river. (Sorry, no electric or sewage service available.) See “RV Hospitality Conditions and Information” for more details.)

• 20 x 40 foot RV space and one car Fri. to Sun.
• 4 pit passes (include park admission)
• Package price $330 Extra pit passes $45