civil and criminal penalties

Civil penalties are sanctions imposed in non-criminal disputes, typically involving fines or orders to pay damages to an individual or organization—like penalty fees for not following regulations. Criminal penalties involve punishments for violations against laws, such as fines, probation, or imprisonment, and are designed to punish and deter illegal behavior. Essentially, civil penalties resolve disputes between parties, while criminal penalties address behaviors deemed harmful to society, with the latter involving a criminal justice process.