Home » Personal Injury: Frequently Asked Questions » What is the Difference Between a Civil and a Criminal Case?

What is the Difference Between a Civil and a Criminal Case?

What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case? In a criminal case, it is often the government bringing a charge against someone for intentionally doing something wrong, and in a criminal case, the wrongdoer can be sentenced to pay a fine or to jail. In a civil case, it is often an individual bringing a lawsuit against an individual or a corporation claiming that they did something wrong unintentionally or negligently. In a civil case, the wrongdoer can be made to compensate the victim for the harm done.