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.
The City of Evans is a Home Rule Municipality located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 9,514 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 18,842 as of July 1, 2008, by the Census Bureau. Long considered the "second" city of Weld County and a vigorous competitor with its neighbor, Greeley, for the Weld County seat, today Evans has become much more than a bedroom community. It is now a municipality that is known as a regional leader with industries and large retail locations that attract workers from the entire northeast Colorado area. Named for the second Territorial Governor of Colorado, John Evans, Evans was established in 1867 and was Weld County's seat of government twice before Greeley finally captured the honor. Legend in Evans is that the county records were stolen by night-riders from Greeley, who also supposedly burned the courthouse. Today, Evans, like other towns along the South Platte River, is home to a rapidly-growing Hispanic population. Evans has several primary commercial areas located along US-85 just south of its junction with US-34, as well along 23rd Avenue and on 37th Street with new commercial areas developing as the city expands to the west and south of the South Platte River.