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").
Bass Lake is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) southeast of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 3415 feet (1041 m). Bass Lake is situated in the Sierra National Forest approximately 14 mi (23 km) from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Established in 1895 as Bass Lake Village, the community grew up around the newly created Bass Lake Reservoir that supplied the first hydroelectric generating project in Central California. Much of the community and the reservoir is devoted to the tourism industry. The original post office at Bass Lake opened in 1912. The ZIP Codes for Bass Lake are 93604 and 93669, and is in the 559 area code.