What is the difference between civil law and criminal law?

Civil law primarily involves individual disputes in which one party seeks compensation or resolution from another party, typically focusing on private rights and obligations. This area of law addresses issues such as contract disputes, property disputes, and personal injury claims. Essentially, the goal of civil law is to resolve disagreements and provide remedies to individuals who have been wronged in some way.

On the other hand, criminal law is concerned with actions that are considered offenses against society or the state. In criminal law, the government prosecutes individuals accused of committing crimes, which may include theft, assault, or murder. The purpose of criminal law is to maintain public order and to deter wrongdoings through punishment, such as imprisonment or fines.

Understanding this distinction is crucial as it highlights the different roles and objectives of the legal systems that deal with private disputes versus offenses that affect the community as a whole.