Which of the following best differentiates tort law from criminal law?

Tort law is primarily distinguished from criminal law by its focus on civil matters and the goal of providing compensation to the injured party. In tort law, when an individual or entity suffers harm due to another's actions or negligence, the victim can sue for damages, seeking financial restitution for their losses. This civil nature of tort law underscores that it is primarily concerned with rights and liabilities between private parties, rather than societal punishment.

In contrast, criminal law is enforced by the government and seeks to punish offenders for actions deemed harmful to society as a whole. The prosecution in criminal cases is aimed at deterring criminal behavior and upholding public order, rather than compensating victims, which is the focus of tort law.

The other options do not accurately highlight this critical distinction. For instance, civil law is not always solely prosecuted by the government; private individuals or entities can initiate civil lawsuits, as seen in tort cases. Additionally, criminal law does not involve private disputes, but rather cases brought by the state against individuals or organizations accused of violating laws. Lastly, it is not true that all torts result in punishment by imprisonment; rather, they typically result in financial compensation rather than criminal penalties. Therefore, the focus on compensation in tort law effectively differentiates it from