Final answer:
The critical distinction is that in criminal trials the defendant is presumed innocent and must be proven guilty 'beyond a reasonable doubt', while in civil trials a 'preponderance of the evidence' is sufficient for a decision.
Step-by-step explanation:
An important difference between civil and criminal trials is that in criminal trials, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas civil trials operate on a 'preponderance of the evidence' standard. In a criminal case, the stakes are higher because the defendant's liberty or even life can be at stake, leading to the stringent standard of proof. Additionally, juries can hear both civil and criminal cases, appeals are possible in both proceedings, and lawyers in both types of trials can cross-examine witnesses. This distinction is crucial in understanding how the legal system treats these fundamentally different types of legal disputes.