In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both. Criminal defense attorneys represent clients who have been accused of committing a crime, and defend their rights at each stage of a misdemeanor or felony case -- from an arrest to an appeal after conviction. Criminal defense attorneys may be hired privately or provided by the government (called "public defenders").
Chelsea is a city in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. Chelsea was incorporated on March 1, 1996 with a population of 906. At the 2000 census the population was 2,949. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the 2008 population estimate for Chelsea was 4,303. Chelsea is widely considered the fastest growing city in Shelby County, which is the fastest growing county in the state of Alabama.