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

The standards in criminal court are different in civil court. A murder conviction in criminal court requires that guilt must beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil wrongful death suit, the person must be responsible, completely or partially, and more likely than not.

It’s quite possible that a jury can find that they aren’t 100% sure the person committed murder, but another jury determine that they were more likely than not at least partly responsible.