What distinguishes a civil wrong from a criminal wrong?

A civil wrong, commonly referred to as a tort, primarily deals with the harm suffered by an individual or entity, where the remedy typically involves compensation for damages. In civil cases, one party seeks to recover losses or damages caused by another’s actions. This can involve a variety of situations, such as negligence, defamation, or breach of contract.

In contrast, a criminal wrong involves actions that are considered offenses against the state or society as a whole, which are pursued by the government. The penalties for criminal wrongs can include imprisonment, fines, or community service, aiming to punish the offender and deter future crimes rather than provide direct compensation to the victim.

This distinction clarifies that in civil cases, the emphasis is on rectifying a wrong through financial compensation, while criminal cases focus on punishing unlawful behavior.