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.
Ravendale is an unincorporated community in Lassen County, California. It is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Termo, at an elevation of 5305 feet (1617 m). Almost exactly halfway between these two cities, Rand McNally shows 54 driving miles to Susanville and about the same distance to Alturas. The Ravendale post office opened in 1910, closed in 1920, and re-opened in 1921. Wired telephones in this area have telephone numbers following the pattern, 234-xxxx. There is some cellular telephone coverage from unknown providers. The availability of PCS and Nextel coverage is undetermined. The ZIP Code is 96123. There is a Ravendale Airport with the FAA identifier O39. Susanville District, Ravendale Resource Area, Bureau of Land Management operates a fire station here. The fire station transmitter call sign is KMC407. There is also a Ravendale Volunteer Fire Department according to the California Department of Forestry, Lassen-Modoc Ranger Unit 2005 annual report.