Crimes against people are defined to be crimes against the people as a whole (government) and are prosecuted as such. The case will read "United States of America vs. John Doe" or "State of XXXX vs. John Doe." Torts are person vs. person. This represents the government's interest in keeping the peace. At least, that is how they explain it in Civics class.

When my fiancee was stabbed and nearly killed, the indictment read, United States of America vs. James Patrick Davis. Very sobering to read that. He is now in federal prison, by the way.