What is the difference between a civil and a criminal charge of fraud?

In Texas, the difference between a civil and a criminal charge of fraud is that the main goal of each charge is different. A civil charge of fraud is typically brought by an individual or entity (such as a business). The goal of a civil charge is typically to receive damages or compensation for being the victim of fraud. It is not necessarily focused on punishing the person who committed the fraud. A criminal charge of fraud is typically brought by the government against an individual or business. The goal of a criminal charge is to punish the person or entity for their alleged fraud. Depending on the severity of the fraud, punishments can include fines, prison, and/or other consequences. In addition, the burden of proof differs between civil and criminal charges. For a civil charge, there is a lower burden of proof and the plaintiff (or person bringing the charge) must only show that it is more likely than not that the defendant committed the fraud. For a criminal charge, the burden of proof is higher and the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the fraud.

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