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.
Three Mile Bay is a community located in Jefferson County, New York. The elevation there is 259 feet. It was settled between 1810 and 1820. Early resident Asa Wilcox built 48 brigs, propellers, schooners, and other seafaring vessels from 1835 to 1853. Some of these vessels like the A.E. Vickery, ultimately joined the more than 500 shipwrecked vessels now resting at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.