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.
Deering is an unincorporated community in Pemiscot County, Missouri. It is located eight miles west of Caruthersville. Deering began as a lumber town in the early 1900s. After the Wisconsin Lumber Company ceased operations in Deering, the town's population began to dwindle. The town is now so small is does not even have a population sign. Just directly to the east of Deering is Pondertown. The population of these two small villages combined is probably around 150. Deering has one gas station, a fertilizer plant, a post office, and Delta C-7 schools, which houses grades K-12. Delta C-7 has an enrollment of about 250. For more information on the town of Deering, see Ophelia Richardson Wade's book, Deering Plantation.