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.
Sonoita is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 826 at the 2000 census. The name of the CDP is the O'odham Ṣon ʼOidag, which may be best translated as "spring field". (There are several places that the O'odham called Ṣon ʼOidag within 200 km of this place, all agricultural spots. ) Sonoita has for many years been a popular place for wealthy Arizonans to establish vacation and retirement homes and ranches. Sonoita is presently experiencing significant growth.