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.
Hopland (formerly, Sanel) is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California. It is located on the west bank of the Russian River 13 miles (21 km) south-southeast of Ukiah, at an elevation of 502 feet (153 m). Hopland is a small town of less than 800 people located at the start of the Redwoods of Northern California. It is about two hours drive along U.S. Route 101 north of San Francisco, and a 30-minute drive along State Route 175 to California's largest natural lake Clear Lake. It is a rustic farming community situated amongst oak covered coastal foothills. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 °F. The Hopland Band of Pomo Indians operates the Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino and Bingo on Nokomis Road, which includes a 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m) casino. The Pomo originally lived off the natural resources of the land in Sanel Valley with deer, fish, acorns and berries. In 1996 they opened the casino and through it have funded health, educational and social benefits. Notable establishments in Hopland include the Solar Living Institute (www. solarliving. org), which has regular workshops and is a leader in the eco-education circuit, the Mendocino Brewing Company, which started in 1983 as the Hopland Brewing Company, and Fetzer Vineyards, a major producer of both red and white wines in North America, including Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Merlot. Approximately 5 mi (8 km) east of Hopland is the University of California's Hopland Research and Extension Center (formerly called the "Hopland Field Station"), a 5,300-acre (21.4 km) research and education facility that UC has operated since 1951.