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Civilrights.org > Judiciary > Federal Court System
The Difference between Civil Courts and Criminal Courts
LCCR/EF is concerned only with civil courts, because they deal with the enforcement of civil rights laws.
| Civil Courts |
Criminal Courts |
| In a civil suit, one party (the plaintiff) who feels they were harmed brings a complaint against another party (the defendant). Sometimes the government is one of the parties. |
The government (the plaintiff) brings suit against (prosecutes) a person who they believe has broken the law (the defendant). |
| Reasonable doubt is not required. A "preponderance of evidence" is enough in most cases. |
The guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. |
The plaintiff can either ask for monetary relief, or equitable relief
- Monetary relief is when the plaintiff asks for a cash award to remedy the situation.
- Equitable relief is when the plaintiff asks for the court to order the other party to do or not to do something.
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If the defendant is convicted, he or she may have to serve time in jail or pay a fine. |
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