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").
Northport is a city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates the population is 23,118. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area.