What is the difference between a civil offense and a crime?

Answer 1

Civil and criminal start with who initiates the case. Civil cases are done by a private party whereas criminal cases are brought to the court by the government.

Other differences are standards of proof -Civil court you need 51% or proponderance of the evidence which is a lower standard than criminal court wich is beyond a reasonable doubt (100%).

Also when you are guilty in a criminal case you can incur jail/prison, probation, fines, etc.

Civil cases incur monetary penalties.