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.
Smithdale is a small unincorporated community in Amite County, Mississippi, United States, located 13 miles from the county seat of Liberty. The zip code for Smithdale is 39664; the community has a post office (founded in 1828). Major highways in Smithdale are Mississippi State Route 569, Mississippi State Route 570 and U.S. Route 98. Smithdale stretches over parts of four counties, including Amite, Pike, Lincoln, and Franklin counties. The community is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.