After civil no criminal?

[stackunderflow]

I was told by a lawywer once that if you have a choice as the victim to pursue the offender civily or criminally and choose to go the civil route first, you have given up the right to file a crminal complaint. For example, if you steal my car and I sue you instead of calling the cops, I cannot later file a criminal complaint against you. The venue has been chosen and you do not get a second try in another venue. So if that is true Dave cannot activly seek a criminal complaint after he has filed the civil suit? Any lawyers out there have a comment?

Thanks!

[anvil]

Even if Dave couldn't file a criminal complaint in your scenario, the government can file a criminal complaint if there is evidence of a crime.

[Boojer]

Your neighbor could call the local police and tell them that you are programing cards or stealing signal and the police can check it out and file criminal charges if they so desire.

[condmca]

Originally posted by anvil
Even if Dave couldn't file a criminal complaint in your scenario, the government can file a criminal complaint if there is evidence of a crime.

The moral then is to not defraud the IRS at dave's expense and the government will have absolutely no reason to get involved. ;)