What is the difference between civil and criminal litigation ?
Criminal litigation involves a proceeding where someone has broken a particular law and is being prosecuted by authorities such as a city, county, state or federal government. The conclusion of criminal litigation is generally an acquittal or not guilty verdict for the defendant (person being prosecuted for allegedly violating the law) or a guilty verdict which may result in a fine, imprisonment, probation or any combination of various punishments provided by law. Civil litigation is a proceeding the where parties are suing to recover money, property or other type of relief from the Court or jury. In this type of case there has been no criminal statute or criminal law violation. The result of civil litigation is an award of money, property or some other type of relief which would not involve imprisonment.
