Final answer:
Nicole Brown Simpson's parents were able to file a Civil Suit due to the separate legal standards and burdens of proof in civil law, even after O.J. Simpson's acquittal in criminal court. They successfully proved 'wrongful death' by 'preponderance of the evidence,' resulting in Simpson owing punitive damages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nicole Brown Simpson's parents were able to file a Civil Suit following the criminal trial because the double jeopardy clause does not apply to civil cases. A criminal conviction requires proof 'beyond a reasonable doubt,' a much higher standard than that of a civil case, which only requires a 'preponderance of the evidence.'
After O.J. Simpson was acquitted in the criminal trial, the families of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman filed a wrongful death civil suit, in which they only needed to show that it was more likely than not that Simpson was responsible for the deaths.
As a result, they won the civil case and Simpson was ordered to pay millions in punitive damages. This is an example of how an individual can be found not guilty in a criminal court, yet still be held financially liable in a civil court for the same act.