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").
Eureka is the county seat and principal city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Located adjacent to Humboldt Bay 270 miles north of San Francisco, the port city of 26,097 (2007) residents is situated near extensive preserves of the world's tallest trees - the Coast Redwoods. The city, a major player in the historic west coast lumber trade, is the site of hundreds of Victorian homes, including the Carson Mansion. This architecturally and historically significant coastal city serves as the regional center for government, health care, trade, and the arts for the far North Coast of California.