* Civil Action *
CIVIL ACTION - The generic term used to describe court proceedings that are not criminal in nature. This includes lawsuits by private parties as well as those involving governments. Except in cases concerning civil contempt (actually a quasi-criminal matter) there is seldom a possibility of incarceration to the losing party.
In most jurisdictions actions are divided only into two kinds, namely, criminal and civil. A criminal action is prosecuted by the state as a party, against a person charged with a public offence, for the punishment thereof. Every other action is a civil action. In common parlance, however, writs of mandamus, certiorari, habeas corpus, etc., are not comprised by the expression.
--b--
Need a Lawyer? Check Out The 'Lectric Law Library's Searchable Attorney Directory
& our Searchable Expert Witness Directory
The Lexicon's Lyceum Info & Other Letters
Dazed and Confused? Try Searching the Library for what you want.
Type your words or term in the white box & poke "Do It"
Court, Business and Personal Forms for all Situations and Locations
(This should open a new window. Close it when you're done and you may be back here.)