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.
Roscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County. The village is in Higgins Township in the northern part of Roscommon County. Roscommon Township is in the southwest part of the county. The Roscommon post office, with ZIP code 48653, also serves the northern portion of Higgins Township, as well as all of Gerrish Township to the west, most of Lyon Township to the west of Gerrish, and smaller portions of Lake Township to the south of Lyon, Markey Township to the south of Gerrish, Au Sable Township to the east of Higgins and also the southern portions of South Branch Township and Beaver Creek Township to the north in Crawford County. The Roscommon post office first opened January 9, 1873. It was named after the town and county of Roscommon in Ireland. Irishman Charles O'Malley oversaw the renaming of some Michigan counties from Indian names to Irish names in 1843. The South Branch of the Au Sable River (Michigan) passes through the village and contributes to the local economy. Several Canoe Liveries operate in the village and offer water recreation such as kayaking and canoeing.