What is the difference between civil litigation and criminal litigation?

Civil litigation and criminal litigation are two types of legal proceedings used to resolve disputes. The main difference between them is that civil litigation deals with disputes between two or more private parties, while criminal litigation deals with violations of criminal laws and can involve the state (or the government) as a party. In civil litigation, the individual(s) or parties involved in the dispute file a lawsuit in a court of law. The parties present their sides of the dispute to a judge or jury, who ultimately decides how the dispute should be settled. The settlement can involve either monetary compensation or orders that the parties comply with specific terms. In criminal litigation, the government files a lawsuit against a person or persons who is accused of breaking a criminal law. The government must prove the person’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in order to secure a conviction. If the person is found guilty, they may face fines, jail time, or other penalties. In California, civil litigation is primarily handled in state courts. This includes the California Superior Courts that oversee small claims court for cases with low-value disputes, as well as the California Supreme Court that hears cases involving complex matters of law. Criminal litigation is handled in the California Superior Courts.

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What is the difference between civil litigation and criminal litigation?

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