Legal Definitions - civilization

Definition: Civilization refers to the process of transforming a criminal matter into a civil one through legal means or a court judgment. This is different from criminalization, which is the process of making an action or behavior illegal and punishable by law.

Example: Let's say that someone has been accused of causing damage to someone else's property. If the matter is handled through the criminal justice system, the accused may face criminal charges and potentially go to jail. However, if the matter is handled through civil court, the accused may be ordered to pay for the damages they caused, but they will not face criminal charges or go to jail.

Another example: If someone is accused of discrimination in the workplace, the matter may be handled through civil court rather than criminal court. The accused may be ordered to pay damages to the victim, but they will not face criminal charges or go to jail.

These examples illustrate how civilization works to resolve disputes and conflicts through civil means rather than criminal ones. It allows for a more peaceful and fair resolution to conflicts, without resorting to punishment or incarceration.