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.
Aguanga is a unincorporated small town located within the Inland Empire, Riverside County, California. As of 1990, it had a population of 2,309. The community of Aguanga lies at the intersection of State Route 79 (SR 79) and State Route 371 (Cahuilla Road). This is along the historic Butterfield Overland Mail stage route. The area lies at about 1,940 feet (590 m) above mean sea level (AMSL) and is north of Cleveland National Forest. The straight-line distance to Palomar Observatory is 5.9 miles (9.5 km) south and the observatory site is about 3,500 feet (1,100 m) higher than the community. The town is also home to Cottonwood Elementary School (K-8) operated by the Hemet Valley Unified School District. The largest nearby town is Temecula, (along the Interstate 15 corridor), about 18 miles (29 km) west of Aguanga on SR 79. This area is in Temecula Creek canyon between Pechanga tribal lands and the San Diego County line. Official U.S. Geological Survey NAD27 coordinates for the community are 33°26′34″N 116°51′51″W / 33.44278°N 116.86417°W / 33.44278; -116.86417. It is within area code 951 and shares its ZIP Code, 92536, with the San Diego County Community of Holcomb Village. The town gets it name from a former village of the native Luiseño people called awáanga, meaning 'dog place'.