What is the difference between criminal and civil court?

In Hawaii, there are two types of court: criminal and civil court. The difference between the two is based on the type of case that is being heard. Criminal court is responsible for overseeing cases that involve criminal charges. This includes cases that involve breaking the law, such as theft, assault, or murder. In criminal court, the state decides if the accused is guilty or not guilty. On the other hand, civil court is responsible for cases that involve disputes between two or more people or businesses. Examples of civil cases include divorce, bankruptcy, and breach of contract. The purpose of civil court is to resolve conflicts between people. Unlike criminal court, the outcome of a civil case doesn’t involve a ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ decision, but instead involves either a settlement or a ruling from the court. In Hawaii, both criminal and civil court follow the same general procedures, such as pre-trial conferences, jury selection, and review of evidence. However, the differences between the two types of court are clear and the distinction between criminal and civil court is important to understand.

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