Criminal Records: Will a Felony Conviction Create Civil Liability for a Civil Trial

My question involves criminal records for the state of: California

If a defendant pleads no contest or is found guilty of a felony, will that automatically create liability in a subsequent civil action? So would that mean any civil trial would be only to determine damages and awards?

I heard that misdemeanors cannot be used in a civil trial, but felonies can.

Criminal Records: Will a Felony Conviction Create Civil Liability for a Civil Trial