A mother comforts her distressed daughter who is sitting on a bed.

Survivors can file criminal & civil lawsuits—each with its own goals and outcomes.

Families impacted by the tragedy of child sexual abuse may feel overwhelmed when it comes to understanding criminal vs. civil lawsuits. What are they, how are they different, what impact could each have on your child, and which one will help your child the most?

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As parents ourselves, the sexual assault attorneys at The Pride Law Firm want you to know that you are not alone in your pain and heartache. We understand this is one of the most difficult times of your life, and we are here to provide answers.

This page helps outline the differences between criminal and civil lawsuits when it comes to child sexual abuse cases in California. As you read over the information here, please keep in mind that our firm offers a free, completely private legal consultation for families seeking legal guidance. You can reach us by filling out this brief form or calling our offices at (619) 516-8166.

Attorney Jessica Pride Breaks Down the Difference Between Civil & Criminal Court

It can be tricky to get a simple and straightforward answer to the question: is sexual assault a civil or criminal case in California? Listen to lead attorney at The Pride Law Firm, Jessica Pride, discuss the difference of the journey of a sexual assault case in civil vs. criminal court.