A Model Citizen

Pembleton's attorney in the civil case against him says that since it's a civil case they "must disprove guilt rather than prove innocence"; it's a simplistic but accurate way to describe how a civil case is different. In a criminal case, the burden of proof falls on the prosecution, the prosecution has to prove the defendant's guilt BEYOND a reasonable doubt. The defendant doesn't actually have to prove their innocence, they only need to introduce enough evidence to create a reasonable doubt as to their guilt; compared to a civil case, the defense's burden is much easier in a criminal case, even if the stakes are far higher. However, in a civil case, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff to prove their claim by a preponderance of the evidence; in other words, they only have to prove that it is more likely than not that the defendant is responsible, which is far short of a criminal case's burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. So, from a defendant's standpoint, the burden is more difficult in a civil case than it is in a criminal case; instead of only having to create a reasonable doubt of their guilt, the defendant in a civil case must actually prove that they aren't guilty by convincing the judge or jury that it is more likely than not that they are not responsible for the plaintiff claims. They have to do more than just simply create a reasonable doubt.

Munch and Howard don't arrest, cite or even warn the doctor in the free clinic for failing to report that he had a patient with a gunshot wound. All licensed medical professionals, whether they are a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or a nurse, are required by law to report patients with gunshot and/or knife wounds. Failure to make such a report is a misdemeanor, and any institution or physician who repeatedly violates the mandatory reporting rule risks loosing their license and a more serious felony charge.

The clinic doctor didn't treat the patient. He stated that he couldn't handle something that serious and that they called an ambulance to take the patient to the hospital. But the above goof would apply to whoever treated the patient once he arrived at the hospital.