What is the difference between criminal and civil court?

Criminal and civil court are two different types of court proceedings that are used in Michigan. Criminal court involves proceedings that involve criminal offenses such as murder, robbery, and other serious criminal activity. On the other hand, civil court deals with non-criminal matters such as disputes between two people or corporations. In criminal court, the defendant is charged with a crime such as murder or robbery. The prosecutor will present evidence to try to prove that the accused person committed the crime. A jury or judge will decide if the accused person is guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, a criminal sentence such as jail time or probation is issued. In civil court, the plaintiff is the person who is filing the lawsuit. They are suing the defendant for a civil dispute such as damages due to an automobile accident or breach of contract. The plaintiff and defendant will present evidence to support their claims. The judge or jury will decide who is liable and decide on what type of financial award is given to the plaintiff. Criminal and civil court are both used in Michigan to resolve disputes. The major difference between the two is the type of case and the repercussions that follow. Criminal court is used to prosecute those accused of a crime while civil court is used to resolve disputes between two parties.

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