What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

In Montana, there is a distinct difference between criminal and civil law. Criminal law is the set of rules which the state enforces to protect the public and punish those who commit crimes. It is based on court decisions and statutory law, such as the Montana Code. Criminal law is typically enforced by the government, through police officers and prosecutors, and trials are held in criminal courts. Civil law is the set of rules that govern disputes between private citizens or between citizens and businesses. Civil cases are typically more informal and less adversarial than criminal cases. Even in civil cases, the law comes from court decisions and statutes, such as the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure. Civil trials are typically held in civil court, and are handled by an administrative judge instead of a jury. In criminal cases, criminal penalties, such as fines or jail time, are imposed if the defendant is found guilty. In civil cases, the most common type of remedy is monetary, such as when one party pays damages to the other. Ultimately, the distinction between criminal and civil law is important because criminal law is enforced by the government to protect public safety and punish those who commit crimes. Civil law is used to resolve disputes between private citizens or between citizens and businesses.

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What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

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