Final answer:
Criminal law deals with offenses against society and their defined punishments. Civil law handles all non-criminal matters and seeks to resolve disputes and award compensation. The main difference is that the government prosecutes criminal cases, while individuals or groups file civil cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Criminal law and civil law are two main branches of the legal system within the United States.
Criminal law deals with offenses against society that are punished because they harm society.
It is governed by statutes which define specific offenses and their corresponding punishments.
A criminal case begins with an alleged crime, police arrest, and charge filed by a prosecutor.
On the other hand, civil law encompasses all non-criminal matters such as personal disputes, business deals, and family issues.
Civil law cases usually involve offenses that are statutory, meaning they are governed by written laws.
They can also be by case precedent, established in previous rulings. The aim of civil litigation is most often to award compensation for harm or damages.
The legal proceedings vary in criminal and civil cases.
In a criminal case, it is the government that prosecutes an individual whereas, in a civil case, one party files a complaint against another.
Both systems aim to maintain justice and peace in society.
Learn more about Criminal and Civil Law here.