Have you ever wondered how a defendant can be tried in both civil and criminal courts?
Take, for example, the recent $3 million judgment against Arizona self-help guru James Arthur Ray. He is already serving time in jail after being found guilty of negligent homicide. The $3 million settlement was in response to civil lawsuits filed by some victims' families.
Civil and criminal cases do have marked differences. In certain situations, a
civil case's burden of proof is lower, making it more likelihood that plaintiffs prevail in civil court.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2011/12/lose-criminal-case-but-win-civil-trial.html