Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of civil law?

The correct answer reflects a fundamental distinction in legal systems. Civil law primarily addresses disputes between individuals or organizations, focusing on compensating the wronged party rather than punishing the wrongdoer. A key characteristic of civil law is that it seeks to resolve conflicts through monetary damages or specific performance rather than imposing penalties, which is the hallmark of criminal law.

In civil law, the goal is often to restore the injured party to their original position or to rectify harm through financial reparations. Characteristics such as focusing on community relations, resolution through monetary damages, or changes in status or behavior emphasize restorative justice and fairness among parties rather than punitive measures typically associated with criminal law.

Protection against criminal offenses is inherently a feature of criminal law, not civil law, which is why it is classified as the characteristic that does not belong to civil law.