Eli5 – How can someone be proven not guilty of murder in criminal court but still sued in civil court?

Question

Eli5 – How can someone be proven not guilty of murder in criminal court but still sued in civil court?

In: 19

Answer 1

Accused people are not “proven” not guilty by a jury. They are “judged” to be not guilty if there is not sufficient evidence to convince all jurors of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That is a lot different than being proven innocent.

A civil case is separate from a criminal case. Since the criminal case does not prove innocence it does not affect the ability of a plaintiff to pursue a civil case.