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.
Oak Park is an affluent city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2000 census, its population is 29,793. The Census Bureau's 2007 population estimate places the population at 30,960. The Oak Park Department of Public Safety serves the community with Fire/Rescue and Police services. The 45-B District Court (Michelle Friedman Appel, David M. Gubow) has the jurisdictional bounds of City of Oak Park, City of Huntington Woods, City of Pleasant Ridge, and the Charter Township of Royal Oak.