Civil law suits are private suits between two or more citizens. Civil law is the area of law by which private individuals resolve their differences with the help of the civil courts.
Criminal law involves a citizen or a business and the state.
The rules of the federal government and all individual state governments are codified into statutes. When an individual violates the rules, as listed in the statutes, then the federal government or the state will prosecute the individual. The remedies available in civil courts are generally limited to money damages. For example, If Dave decides to walk up and slug Matt, Dave may be guilty of battery in a criminal court and liable to Matt for battery in a civil court. Guilt or innocence are terms used only within a criminal proceeding.