What is the difference between civil and criminal law?

In the Hawaiian court system, civil and criminal law are two distinct types of cases. Civil law involves disputes between two or more parties over the rights and responsibilities of each side. These disputes are often settled by a court order that awards a sum of money or some other result to one party. Common examples of civil cases include divorces, contract disputes, and personal injury cases. Criminal law, on the other hand, involves the government taking action against an individual for committing a crime. Crimes are divided into less serious offenses (misdemeanors) and more serious offenses (felonies). If the individual is found guilty in a criminal court, they may face penalties such as fines, probation, or even jail time. Criminal cases are typically prosecuted by public prosecutors, while civil cases are usually handled by private attorneys. The main difference between civil and criminal law is that civil law focuses on disputes between individuals, while criminal law focuses on punishing individuals for committing a crime. In addition, criminal cases involve the government, while civil cases are only between private citizens. Finally, in a criminal matter, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, while in a civil matter they are assumed to be liable if the majority of evidence proves their guilt.

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What is the difference between civil and criminal law?

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