Which of the following best describes civil monetary penalties?

Civil monetary penalties are primarily financial penalties imposed on entities or individuals for violating federal regulations, rather than for criminal acts or behaviors. These penalties serve as a deterrent against non-compliance with various laws and regulations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, where compliance is crucial to ensure patient safety and ethical practices.

The rationale behind civil monetary penalties is to enforce compliance in a way that can compel entities to adhere to the established laws without resorting to the criminal justice system, which might involve more severe consequences. They are designed not only to penalize but also to encourage corrective action and compliance moving forward.

Given this context, options that refer to criminal acts, tax evasion, or penalties imposed solely by a jury do not accurately represent the nature of civil monetary penalties, as they fall outside the scope of non-compliance with federal regulations, which is the central focus of these penalties.