Which statement best distinguishes criminal and civil law?

• A. Criminal law deals with offenses against the state; civil law resolves disputes between individuals or organizations.
• B. Criminal law resolves disputes between organizations; civil law punishes crimes against the state.
• C. Criminal law handles only traffic violations; civil law handles constitutional questions.
• D. Criminal law regulates contracts; civil law enforces public safety.

Answer: (B)

Criminal law targets offenses against the state and society, with the government prosecuting the person who is believed to have committed a crime and seeking punishment such as imprisonment or fines. Civil law, on the other hand, deals with disputes between private individuals or organizations, and the typical remedy is compensation or an order to do or not do something. The burden of proof also differs: criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while civil cases rely on a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). So the statement that best distinguishes them is the one that says criminal law deals with offenses against the state, while civil law resolves disputes between individuals or organizations.