What is the difference between civil litigation and criminal litigation?

Civil litigation and criminal litigation are two types of law proceedings that address disputes and wrongdoing in different ways. In Washington, the primary difference between civil litigation and criminal litigation is the parties involved, the burden of proof required, and the outcome. In civil litigation, usually, two private parties are involved in a dispute and they’re seeking damages or an order to stop a certain action. The burden of proof is much lower in civil cases than it is in criminal cases. In civil cases, the parties involved must only prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, or that it was more likely than not that the claim by the party is true. These cases are usually resolved through a settlement or a judgment from the court. On the other hand, criminal litigation involves prosecuting someone for a crime. In criminal cases, the state or federal government is the prosecutor and the accused person is the defendant. The burden of proof is much higher in criminal litigation; the prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. If found guilty, the defendant may face incarceration, a fine, or another legal penalty. Both civil and criminal litigation cases are an important part of our legal system, but their differences are essential to understand. Civil litigation aims to address disputes between individuals or entities, while criminal litigation puts a due process to the enforcement of criminal law.

Related FAQs

What is the difference between civil litigation and criminal litigation?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts