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

The focus of civil trials is primarily on resolving disputes between individuals or organizations, often involving issues such as contracts, property, and personal injuries. A key characteristic of civil trials is that the outcomes typically involve compensation for damages rather than criminal penalties.

While many civil trials may include a jury, it is not a requirement in all cases, but the involvement of a jury is a common aspect. Additionally, the standard of proof in civil trials is "preponderance of evidence," meaning that one side's argument must be more convincing than the other’s for the jury or judge to rule in their favor.

In contrast, criminal trials involve the possibility of jail time or other penalties for the defendant, which is not applicable in civil trials. Therefore, the idea that a defendant may serve jail time is not a characteristic of civil trials, making it the correct answer to the question.