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").
Catheys Valley (formerly, Cathay and Cathey's Valley) is an unincorporated community in Mariposa County, California. It lies in Catheys Valley 22 miles (35.2 km) northeast of Merced, and 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Mariposa, at an elevation of 1325 feet (404 m). Catheys Valley has a population of 1,007. Catheys Valley was named after Andrew Cathey, a native of North Carolina, who settled in this valley around 1850. The ZIP Code is 95306. The community is inside area code 209.