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.
Animas is an unincorporated community in west central Hidalgo County, New Mexico, United States, in the southwestern corner of the state. It lies at the intersection of State Roads 9 and 338 south of the city of Lordsburg, the county seat of Hidalgo County. Its elevation is 4,406 feet (1,343 m), and it is located at 31°56′56″N 108°48′26″W / 31.94889°N 108.80722°W / 31.94889; -108.80722 (31.9489799, -108.8072777). Although Animas is unincorporated, it has a post office. Founded in 1909, it has the ZIP code of 88020; the ZCTA for ZIP Code 88020 had a population of 1,063 at the 2000 census. Founded around 1753 by the Spanish, Animas became part of the newly independent country of Mexico in 1821. Unlike most of New Mexico, Animas was not part of the Mexican Cession after the end of the Mexican–American War; it is located in the area transferred to the United States by the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. Animas is an isolated community. Located in the Pyramid Mountains just west of the Continental Divide, it lies approximately thirty miles from Lordsburg, the nearest significant population center. Smaller communities closer to Animas than Lordsburg include Cotton City, Playas, and Rodeo. It lies in a region rich in Native American history: twenty-one different archeological sites in the Animas area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.