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.
Steubenville is a city located along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Ohio on the Ohio-West Virginia border in the United States. It is the political county seat of Jefferson County and is sometimes considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State area, unofficially as a suburb. It is also a principal city of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 19,329. Steubenville is called the City of Murals because more than 25 murals can be found in the downtown area. It is the home of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College (formerly Jefferson Community College), and Old Fort Steuben. During its heyday in the period of the 1940s-60s, Steubenville was popularly known as "Little Chicago," a nickname that, on the one hand, evoked the city's prolific industry and downtown bustle, while on the other hand suggesting Steubenville's reputation for crime, gambling, and corruption. It is the birthplace of legendary singer and actor Dean Martin, actress, producer and director Traci Lords, television commentator and oddsmaker Jimmy the Greek, Snyder and Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Rollie Fingers.