The courts
civil case
A lawsuit between parties over rights, money, or conduct, decided by a preponderance of the evidence. A criminal case is the government prosecuting an offense.
In full
The two systems differ in who brings the case, what is at stake, and how much proof is required. A civil defendant risks money or an injunction and is not entitled to appointed counsel; a criminal defendant risks liberty and holds the full set of constitutional trial protections. The same conduct can produce both, with different outcomes, because the standards differ.
Also written as: criminal case, civil law, criminal law
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.