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.
Campo Seco ("dry camp" in Spanish) is an unincorporated community in Calaveras County, California. It sits an elevation of 564 feet (172 m) above sea level and is located at 38°13′38″N 120°51′12″W / 38.22722°N 120.85333°W / 38.22722; -120.85333. The community is in ZIP code 95226 and area code 209. Founded by Mexicans in 1849, the mining camp was quite cosmopolitan, with forty different nationalities of miners. The town was almost destroyed by a fire in 1854, but as the placers were still producing, much of the town was rebuilt. Most of the buildings that are still standing date from after the fire. The town also contains the largest living cork oak tree in California, which was planted in 1858. The town today is registered as California Historical Landmark #257. The first post office was established in 1854.