Compare and Contrast Civil Lawsuit and a Criminal Case

Civil lawsuits and criminal cases both involve discovery, pre-trial motions, trial, and appeals.

In a civil lawsuit, a person or private organization sues another party for damages. The plaintiff can be awarded monetary relief or an injunction requiring an individual to do or stop doing a specific action.

In a criminal case, the government prosecutes a defendant who is accused of breaking the law. Criminal defendants found guilty are given penalties like fines, jail time, and probation.

Criminal cases require the government to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant committed the crime.

Civil lawsuits have a lower burden of proof. The plaintiff only has to prove that it is more likely than not that their claim is true. This is called the “preponderance of evidence” standard.