Criminal parallel

A criminal parallel is a prosecution running alongside a civil regulatory action arising from the same conduct. The two resolve on different standards of proof, so a civil settlement and a criminal acquittal on the same facts are not contradictory.

law and enforcement · updated 2026-11-06

See also

• Wire fraud — Wire fraud is the federal offence of using interstate wires to further a scheme to defraud. Prosecutors add it to market manipulat…
• Burden of proof — Civil enforcement actions are decided on the preponderance of the evidence; criminal prosecutions require proof beyond a reasonabl…

Terms that refer here

Burden of proof · 18 U.S.C. § 1348 · Wire fraud

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