If civil and criminal cases are based on the same conduct or are otherwise connected together in their commission, the court may consolidate the cases, but either party may file a motion to sever before the cases proceed to hearing. Cases may be consolidated at any point in the proceedings on the motion of any party, or on the court's own motion. At the trial of any consolidated case, the rules governing the criminal case shall apply, but the civil case shall be tried to the court, and the standard of proof in the civil case shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.