Final answer:
In criminal law, the government acts as the plaintiff and brings charges against a defendant, as crimes are offenses against society (option a) . Individuals do not file criminal charges themselves; they can only report crimes to law enforcement. Individuals can pursue civil lawsuits for damages resulting from criminal actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding criminal law, two important aspects must be understood: the role of the plaintiff and the process by which charges are brought. a. The government serves as the plaintiff in a criminal case, meaning that when a crime is committed, it is the state or federal government that brings the charge against the defendant, not an individual. This is because when a crime occurs, it is considered an offense against the whole society, not just the individual victim.
b. An individual may file charges against another individual for alleged crimes committed is not entirely accurate within the context of criminal law. While an individual can report a crime and cooperate with law enforcement, they themselves do not file criminal charges. That responsibility lies with the government, typically through a prosecutor's office. However, an individual may pursue a separate civil lawsuit for personal harm or damages arising from the same actions that constituted the criminal conduct.