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").
Bella Vista is a small, rural unincorporated town about 9 miles (14 km) north-east of Redding, California, and about 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Palo Cedro, California. Although there is no official census data available, there is an estimated population of approximately 1,200 residents. Other nearby towns include: Millville (pop. 610), Shingletown (pop. 2,222), Oak Run (pop. 760), Whitmore (pop. 593), and Round Mountain (pop. 122).