What is the difference between criminal and civil procedure?

Criminal and civil procedure are two different types of legal proceedings. Criminal procedure deals with the prosecution of someone accused of a crime by the government, while civil procedure deals with disputes between two people or entities. In the criminal process, the state has the burden of proof to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused has committed a crime. During the process, the accused person has certain rights, such as the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. The process generally begins with an arrest or summons and is concluded with either a guilty verdict or a finding of innocence. In the civil process, an individual or entity brings a lawsuit against another individual or entity. The goals of a civil trial are to determine liability or responsibility for an injury or damage caused to another party. In a civil procedure, the burden of proof is lower than in a criminal procedure, and the rights of the accused are not as expansive. The lawsuit generally ends with a verdict awarding either compensatory damages or punitive damages to the plaintiff. Both criminal and civil proceedings involve legal processes that require the expertise of attorneys and judges. Even though the two processes differ in many ways and have different goals, they both need to comply with the U.S. Constitution in Michigan.

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What is the difference between criminal and civil procedure?

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