What is the difference between criminal and civil court?

The primary difference between criminal and civil court in Virginia is the purpose and outcome of each type of court. Criminal court is designed to deal with violations of the criminal law; it is run by the government and is responsible for making judgments on those who are accused of committing a crime. The purpose of criminal court is to punish those found guilty of a crime and to uphold laws that protect society. In contrast, civil court is designed to resolve disputes between individuals or organizations, typically concerning the rights and responsibilities of each party. The purpose of civil court is to provide a fair and just resolution to the dispute. In civil court, the outcome is usually a financial settlement, such as awarding damages or ordering one of the parties to honor a financial obligation. Generally speaking, criminal court adjudicates guilt or innocence of a particular crime, while civil court adjudicates a dispute between two or more parties.

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