What is the difference between civil and criminal law?

Civil law and criminal law are two different branches of the legal system that address different types of legal disputes and violations.

Civil law deals with disputes between individuals, organizations, or companies, and typically involves non-criminal matters such as contracts, property disputes, and personal injury claims. In civil cases, the plaintiff (the person or entity bringing the lawsuit) seeks compensation or damages from the defendant (the person or entity being sued) for a perceived harm or injury.

Criminal law, on the other hand, deals with violations of the law that are considered to be crimes against society as a whole, rather than just individual parties. Criminal cases involve accusations of wrongdoing by the government or law enforcement agencies, and may include charges such as theft, assault, murder, or other criminal offenses. In criminal cases, the prosecution (representing the government) seeks to punish the defendant for the alleged crime, often with imprisonment or fines.

In summary, while civil law involves disputes between private parties seeking monetary compensation or other remedies, criminal law involves the prosecution of individuals accused of committing crimes against society.