What are the differences between civil law and criminal law?

The primary difference between civil law and criminal law is the nature of the dispute. Civil law involves disputes between two parties, such as an individual and a business, or two individuals, over a matter that does not involve the government. These disputes typically involve a breach of contract, a tort, or a breach of fiduciary duty. The purpose of civil law is to settle the dispute, usually through a court order or monetary compensation. In contrast, criminal law involves the government prosecuting an individual or individuals for violating a criminal law. These violations can be felonies, such as murder or robbery, or misdemeanors, such as shoplifting or public intoxication. The purpose of criminal law is to punish the offender and deter potential offenders from committing similar crimes. In Virginia, civil law is primarily based on the Common Law, which is a set of rules and regulations developed and maintained over hundreds of years by judges and lawyers. Criminal law, on the other hand, is based on state and federal statutes passed by legislatures. Overall, the main difference between civil law and criminal law is the nature of the dispute and the end goal. Civil law is used to resolve disputes between two parties through a court order or monetary compensation, while criminal law is used to punish those who have broken the law and deter others from committing similar crimes.

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