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").
Kyburz (formerly, Slippery Ford and Slipperyford) is a small unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California, along the South Fork of the American River and U.S. Highway 50, and is surrounded by the El Dorado National Forest. The town is at an elevation of 4058 feet (1237 m) above sea level and named in honor of former postmaster Albert Kyburz. As of the 2000 Census the population was 167, although the road sign on highway 50 states 139 as of 2008. Including 86 males and 81 females, 65 males age 18 and older, 66 females age 18 and older, 11 males age 65 or older, and 16 females age 65 or older. There were 5 people under age 5, 8 people age 5 to 9, 12 people age 10 to 14, 14 people age 15 to 19, 4 people age 20 to 24, 16 people age 25 to 34, 21 people age 35 to 44, 30 people age 45 to 54, 14 people age 55 to 59, 16 people age 60 to 64, 12 people age 65 to 74, 11 people age 11 to 84, 4 people age 85 and older. The median age was 45.5 and people age 18 and older numbered 131, age 21 and over 128, and age 65 and over 27. The Slippery Ford post office opened in 1861; the name was changed to Slipperyford in 1896, and to Kyburz in 1911. Ski racer Spider Sabich was raised in Kyburz. He moved here with his family from Sacramento when he was nearly five; his father was a patrolman with the California Highway Patrol.