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").
Bell Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 44,054 at the 2000 census. Bell Gardens is notable for being one of the only five cities in Los Angeles County to permit casino gambling. Dice games and slot machines are forbidden.