Conversation so far:
When did Jack Thompson get interested in video games?
When was Jack Thompson's first lawsuit involving video games?
Thompson filed a lawsuit on behalf of the parents of three students killed in the Heath High School shooting in 1997.
What was the claim in his first lawsuit case?
The alleged that the producers of the games were negligent in distributing this material to a minor because it would desensitize him and make him more prone to violence.
How was this claim related to video games?
Investigations showed that the perpetrator, 14-year-old Michael Carneal, had regularly played various computer games (including Doom, Quake, Castle Wolfenstein, Redneck Rampage, Nightmare Creatures, MechWarrior, and Resident Evil).
Who did Jack Thompson represent in the suit?
Thompson filed a lawsuit on behalf of the parents of three students killed in the Heath High School shooting in 1997.

Question: Was this a criminal or civil trial?
Self-contained rewrite: Was this suit a criminal or civil trial?