Both state and federal courts handle criminal and civil cases. In criminal cases, the government takes action against an individual accused of a crime. Such cases may involve murder, robbery, drug violations, or other criminal activities. Punishment typically includes probation, fines, prison terms, and, in some cases, the death penalty. Cases filed in the aftermath of the presidential election are civil cases.
Civil cases involve conflicts between individuals or organizations.
Civil suits can include disputes over business contracts, family relationships, and other non-criminal matters. Punishment usually does not involve jail time. Instead, courts may order parties to pay fines or to redress , or correct, a wrong. For example, the Florida Supreme Court ordered officials in Florida to continue counting ballots by hand. This was only after a local circuit judge ruled that the hand counting should stop.