What distinguishes civil law from criminal law?

Civil law is primarily characterized by its focus on lawsuits between individuals or entities, where one party seeks compensation or remedy from another for a perceived wrong. This body of law governs disputes such as contract issues, property disputes, and family law matters, emphasizing the resolution of private conflicts rather than addressing offenses against society as a whole.

The other options do not accurately capture the fundamental distinction between civil law and criminal law. While civil law can be considered less formal in certain contexts, it still follows established procedures and rules. Moreover, civil law regularly involves court proceedings to resolve disputes, contradicting the idea that it does not involve the courts. Lastly, while some aspects of civil law can be influenced by federal statutes, it is primarily governed by state laws and regulations, making this assertion too narrow to define civil law adequately.