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.
Palo Verde (Hanyomalivah in Mojave; formerly, Paloverde) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California, United States. Palo Verde is located on the Riverside County line 65 miles (105 km) northeast of El Centro, The population was 236 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area'. State Route 78 (Ben Hulse Highway) goes north-south through the community. The majority of its population lives east of SR78 and west of the nearby Colorado River. Its name comes from the Spanish for stick (palo) and green (verde). Therefore, its name literally means "green stick. " The Imperial County line passes just north of the town. A community named Ripley, in Riverside County lies along SR78 between Blythe and Palo Verde. ZIP Code for the community is 92266 and there is no postal delivery, (residents use post office boxes). There is a U.S. Postal Service post office and an Imperial County Sheriff's substation. The first post office to operate at Palo Verde opened in 1903 as Paloverde, changed its name to Palo Verde in 1905, and closed in 1940. A post office was re-established in 1949.