Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be a civil law case. Civil law courts provide a forum for deciding disputes involving torts (such as accidents, negligence, and libel), contract disputes, the probate of wills, trusts, property disputes, administrative law, commercial law, and any other private matters that involve private parties or organizations including government departments. The objectives of civil law are different from other types of law. In civil law there is the attempt to right a wrong, honor an agreement, or settle a dispute. If there is a victim, they get compensation, and the person who is the cause of the wrong pays, this being a civilized form of, or legal alternative to, revenge.
Crane Hill (also Cranehill or Springhill) is an unincorporated community in Cullman County, Alabama, United States. It is located at 34°5′38″N 87°3′47″W / 34.09389°N 87.06306°W / 34.09389; -87.06306 (34.0939910, -87.0630624). This community has a local post office, fire department, a Dollar General, a gas station (DJ's Texaco), a few churches. Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church is notably the oldest church in the community. The church was originally built in 1877, the same year Cullman became a county. The church has been moved several times throughout the years. The church now sits besides DJ's Texaco, and the church building was erected in 1962. The minister during that time was Whitt Harbison. Currently, Patrick Cleghorn is the minister of the church since 2004. Also, from 1904-1996, Dowling Jr. High School used to be the main spectacle of the community. The school had some very special memories. In 1936, the school caught on fire, but was rebuilt soon after. Everyone that ever attended that school was family. It was a relatively small school population wise. In 1996, arsonists burned down the school and it was a very heartbreaking event to many residents of the community. The school was never rebuilt. The main highway that runs through Crane Hill, is 222. Also, Crane Hill has a bank (People's Bank). Also, it has a senior center where senior citizens congregate every week. The community is mainly Caucasian, with a few people of Indian and Irish descent.