Which statement best describes civil cases?

• A. Civil cases involve government action against a person charged with a crime.
• B. Civil cases involve private rights of individuals, groups, or businesses.
• C. Civil cases are resolved only by judges, with no jury.
• D. Civil cases always go to an appeal.

Answer: (B)

Civil cases focus on private rights and disputes between individuals, groups, or businesses, dealing with non-criminal matters like contracts, torts, property, and family law. That makes the statement describing civil cases as involving private rights the best fit, since it captures who is typically on the opposing sides and what’s being resolved.

The other statements don’t fit as well. When government action occurs against someone charged with a crime, that’s a criminal case, not a civil one. Civil trials can be heard by a judge or by a jury, depending on the case and jurisdiction, so it isn’t correct to say they’re resolved only by judges. And civil cases don’t automatically go to an appeal; appeals happen only if a party seeks review of legal issues, not as a guaranteed step in every case.