What is the difference between a Civil case and a Criminal Case?
A civil case is a court case where one party sues another party, usually for money (damages). A typical civil case involves a lawsuit over an auto accident where someone claims injury because of a drivers negligence. Other civil suits include forfeitures, seizures, evictions, divorces, and small claims actions. A criminal case is a court case where a person is alleged to have committed a criminal violation. In this type of case, the government acts as the Plaintiff and the alleged criminal is the Defendant. If the Defendant is found guilty, he faces criminal sanctions including fines, probation, and incarceration. The typical criminal case is DUI, Robbery, or Murder.
A civil case is a court case where one party sues another party, usually for money (damages). A typical civil case involves a lawsuit over an auto accident where someone claims injury because of a drivers negligence. Other civil suits include forfeitures, seizures, evictions, divorces, and small claims actions. A criminal case is a court case where a person is alleged to have committed a criminal violation. In this type of case, the government acts as the Plaintiff and the alleged criminal is the Defendant. If the Defendant is found guilty, he faces criminal sanctions including fines, probation, and incarceration. The typical criminal case is DUI, Robbery, or Murder.
