What does it mean when it is printed in the paper that the police was called to a civil matter?

Question

What does it mean when it is printed in the paper that the police was called to a civil matter?

Answer 1

Civil law addresses situations in which people have been harmed, and an economic award might help remedy the situation.  Examples of civil law cases include divorce, disputes involving property ownership, and contractual disputes.  Private attorneys generally handle both sides of a dispute involving civil law, and the issues in civil court most often need to be proven only by a preponderance of the evidence.

If you have a civil claim – for slipping on an icy sidewalk and becoming injured, for instance – you should discuss the matter with a private lawyer.  You can find one listed in the yellow pages under “attorneys.”

If you are a victim of a crime – a crook stole your car out of your driveway and wrecked it during a joyride – you should report the crime to law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office will prosecute your case, if possible.  You probably also have a civil claim against the car thief, and you should also consider discussing the matter with a private lawyer.

Answer 2

The police were call to a dispute that wasn't a violation of any criminal laws, such as a landlord tenant dispute.

Answer 3

It means that we were pulled away from being able to do our job because two or more adults have failed to act as such and we now must referee them in their dispute. If it doesn't involve a specific CRIMINAL act, it's a civil matter and you are better off contacting an attorney. Or you can wait for the officer to arrive and they can tell you the same thing.  Remember, we are LAW ENFORCEMENT, not the local "hold hands and love thy neighbor" glee club.