How is civil fraud different from criminal fraud?

Civil fraud and criminal fraud are two distinct types of legal action. Criminal fraud is a crime that can result in imprisonment and fines. It is a crime against society and is prosecuted by the government. Civil fraud, on the other hand, is considered a tort or civil wrong. It is not considered a crime and can result in only monetary damages. The civil fraud laws in California determine when a particular false statement of fact or misrepresentation of the truth is considered fraudulent and applies the legal principles of civil liability upon an individual or business. Civil fraud includes using deceit to obtain money or property, concealing material information, or making false representations about a product or service. It is an illegal act that occurs when an individual or business makes a false statement deliberately, with the intention of deceiving another person to their detriment. The burden of proof for civil fraud is lower than for criminal fraud. In a criminal fraud case, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime. In a civil fraud case, the standard of proof is usually preponderance of evidence, meaning the plaintiffs must prove the wrong was more likely than not. Civil fraud laws in California are designed to protect consumers and investors from deceptive business practices. When businesses are found guilty of civil fraud, they can be held accountable for losses incurred by the deceived parties and forced to pay punitive damages.

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