The Differences Between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case. The American legal system is comprised of two very different types of cases, civil and criminal. Crimes are generally offenses against the state, and are accordingly prosecuted by the state.
Researchers at the University of West Florida say theyâve proved Spanish Explorer, Tristan de Luna established his Spanish colony of Pensacola in August of 1559. Thatâs six years before St. Augustine, which claims itâs the oldest because itâs been continuously occupied.
Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513, and Hernando de Soto led a Spanish exploration of the southeastern United States in 1539, discovering the Mississippi River. In 1565, Spain established the first successful European settlement in North Americaâa fortress in St. Augustine, Florida.