What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

The difference between criminal and civil law in Maine is based on the purpose of each type of law. Criminal law is based on rights and responsibilities given to citizens by the State of Maine, and has two purposes: to protect society from acts that are considered to be against the public good, and to punish those found guilty of committing crimes. In contrast, civil law is based on the rights and responsibilities of individuals in regards to each other, and has the purpose of resolving disputes between people or organizations. Criminal law offenses are prosecuted by the State of Maine, and if someone is found guilty they are subject to punishment, such as jail time or fines. In contrast, civil law is handled by the individual parties and the court will not impose punishment. Instead, it will make a ruling that helps to settle the dispute between the two parties. Criminal law cases often involve serious offenses such as murder, assault, and burglary, and can be more complicated than civil law cases. Civil law offenses generally involve disputes between parties, such as a contract dispute or a dispute over property. Generally, civil law cases are simpler to resolve than criminal law cases, and do not have the same level of severity.

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