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Civil courts hear civil matters—which are generally lawsuits regarding disputes between persons or entities in which money, property, or personal rights under the law are at issue. Civil matters are distinguishable from criminal matters, which generally involve a city, state, or federal government prosecuting a person or entity for the commission of a crime.

In California, civil courts handle a wide range of disputes between individuals or entities, where the outcome typically involves the recovery of money, enforcement of rights, or restitution of property, rather than criminal penalties. These civil matters can include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, family law issues such as divorce and custody, and many other types of legal controversies. The civil court system in California is structured with the Superior Courts serving as the trial courts for civil matters, with the right to appeal to the California Courts of Appeal and, ultimately, the California Supreme Court. Unlike criminal cases, where the government prosecutes violations of criminal law, civil cases are initiated by a plaintiff seeking redress for a harm caused by the defendant's actions. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff, who must demonstrate their case by a preponderance of the evidence, which is a lower standard than the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard used in criminal cases.

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Courts

civil courts

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California State Code

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Courts

civil courts

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