What is the difference between civil and criminal procedure?

The main difference between civil and criminal procedure is their purpose. Civil procedure is used for resolving disputes between two or more parties in a civil context, such as when two people are fighting over a contract or a business deal. In civil cases, the plaintiff—the person bringing the lawsuit—is seeking monetary compensation or some other remedy from the defendant. Criminal procedure, on the other hand, is used for prosecuting criminal offenders. The main objective of criminal procedure is not to resolve a dispute but to punish a person who has violated the law. In criminal cases, the government prosecutes the defendant and seeks to impose penalties such as fines, jail time, or other sanctions. Another key difference between civil and criminal procedure is the burden of proof. In civil cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proof, meaning they must show that they are more likely right than wrong. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proof, meaning they must prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Finally, the outcomes of civil and criminal cases are quite different. In civil cases, the court may award monetary damages to the plaintiff or other forms of relief, such as an injunction prohibiting the defendant from engaging in an activity. In criminal cases, on the other hand, the court may impose sanctions such as fines or prison time.

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