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.
Indian River is an unincorporated community in Cheboygan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and is not legally recognized as a municipality. The population was 2,008 at the 2000 census. Because it is not an incorporated municipality, the boundaries were defined by the U.S. Census Bureau in consultation with local organizations and officials. However, the area included within the CDP may not exactly correspond with the area which locals recognize by that name. The CDP includes the eastern portion of Tuscarora Township and the western part of Koehler Township. The Indian River ZIP code 49749 includes most of the CDP as well additional areas of both Tuscarora and Koehler townships and portions of Burt Township, Mullett Township, and Aloha Township to the north and Mentor Township and Ellis Township to the south. The southeast portion of the CDP is served by the Wolverine ZIP code 49799. Indian River is situated at the point where the Sturgeon River flows into Burt Lake and where the Indian River flows out of Burt Lake into Mullett Lake. I-75 passes though the area with two interchanges nearby. Mackinaw City and the Mackinac Bridge are about 25 miles to the north and Gaylord is 28 miles to the south. Cheboygan is about 21 miles to the northeast on M-27. M-68 connects with US 31 at Alanson, 11 miles to the west and with M-33 about 9 miles to the east. The Indian River provides a navigable channel between Burt and Mullett lakes. Burt Lake State Park is included within the CDP and the park, which draws a large number of tourists each year, assists the local economy, part of which is reliant on the influx of summer travelers who take part in the watersports, camping facilities, and other attractions around Indian River. The North Central State Trail goes through the town. Located on Burt Lake is the YMCA camp; Camp Al-Gon-Quian. peniss land and 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²) of it (36.84%) is water.