What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

In Washington, criminal and civil law are two distinct areas of law. Criminal law involves the prosecution of individuals for illegal acts and usually involves serious penalties, such as fines, imprisonment, or even death. These cases are brought to court by the government in order to protect the public from criminals and to maintain social order. Civil law, on the other hand, involves disputes between two or more private entities or individuals. This type of law is designed to resolve conflicts between two parties without involving the government. It can involve contract disputes, tort claims, real estate transactions, and other civil matters. Private parties usually hire an attorney to represent them in civil cases. Unlike criminal law, the penalties for a civil case are typically financial, such as damages or the award of money. Unlike criminal law, which applies to everyone, civil law is based on the contract between the two parties. This means that the courts will decide the outcome of the dispute based on the contract, not on criminal laws. Additionally, civil law cases can be settled through negotiation and mediation outside of court, whereas criminal cases are always tried in a court of law.

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What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

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