What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

The difference between criminal and civil law is that criminal law involves the government prosecuting a person for violating a law, while civil law involves a dispute between two or more people or entities. In criminal law, a person can be charged with a crime such as theft, assault, or DUI. When someone is accused of a crime, the government brings accusations against the person, and the accused must then go to court and prove their innocence or be found guilty. If the accused is found guilty, they can face consequences such as jail time, fines, and probation. In civil law, two or more parties are involved in a dispute, such as an accident. These parties can include individuals, businesses, and the government. In this case, one of the parties may sue the other for damages. This could be for damages to property, medical expenses, and more. The court will then evaluate the claim and if the accused is found liable, they may have to pay damages to the plaintiff. When it comes to accident law in Pennsylvania, both criminal and civil laws may come into play. Depending on the severity of the accident, the government may charge someone with a criminal offense, such as vehicular manslaughter. On the other hand, the victim of the accident may be able to file a civil lawsuit, which is separate from the criminal proceedings, in order to receive compensation for their losses.

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