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Civil litigation

Civil litigation is the legal process (usually in court, but also in arbitration or mediation) in which civil disputes involving money and property rights are resolved—usually by a judge, jury, or arbitrator.

Civil litigation is in contrast to criminal litigation in which a prosecutor—representing a city, state, or the federal government—prosecutes a person or entity for criminal acts (crimes) with punishment ranging from fines and penalties to jail or prison time and death sentences.

In California, civil litigation encompasses the legal proceedings where parties seek to resolve non-criminal disputes in a formal setting. This can involve disputes over contracts, property rights, personal injury claims, and a wide array of other issues where the parties are seeking monetary damages or specific performance rather than criminal sanctions. The process may take place in state courts, federal courts (if federal jurisdiction applies), or through alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration or mediation. Civil litigation is distinct from criminal litigation, where the state prosecutes individuals or entities for violations of criminal law, potentially resulting in penalties such as fines, imprisonment, or even death in capital cases. In civil cases, the parties are typically represented by their own attorneys, and the outcomes are usually compensatory in nature, aimed at making the plaintiff whole rather than punishing the defendant.

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Civil litigation

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California State Code

Civil litigation

California State Code

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