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").
Atwater is a city located along U.S. Route 99 in Merced County, California, United States. Atwater is located 8 miles (13 km) west-northwest of Merced, at an elevation of 151 feet (46 m). The population as of August 19, 2006 is 27,972.