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.
Ribera is a small unincorporated community in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. Located in the northern part of the state, it is next to Villanueva State Park at the foot of Rowe Mesa and along the Pecos River, 50 mi. southeast of Santa Fe. The town is divided by Interstate 25 and Route 3, which was along the original Route 66, and a great deal of evidence from the famous motor-tourist route still remains in the form of old rusted cars, and long abandoned structures. The area is home to many artists and ranchers. The town has one gas station and general store called Sunshine Station. The town has one restaurant that is a well known landmark throughout the surrounding area named La Risa Cafe (formerly known as the Sad Cafe); the hours of operation are sporadic. Ribera is home to two well known contemporary artists: Nicasio Romero (who founded the local El Ancon Sculpture Park) and the one named Cooper (who relocated from the east coast and has started a free artist residency program known as DarkRanch). East of Ribera is the site of the Imus Ranch, a non-profit organization that helps children of all ages afflicted with cancer. The former MSNBC program Imus in the Morning regularly broadcast from the Imus Ranch. South of Ribera is San Miguel, an even smaller unincorporated community and a former stop on the Santa Fe Trail. West of Ribera is the Glorieta Mesa portion of the Santa Fe National Forest.