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").
Oak View is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ventura County, California, United States located in the western portion of the Ojai Valley situated between the towns of Casitas Springs (south) and Mira Monte (north). According to the 2000 census, the population of Oak View is 4,199, making it the third largest town in the Ojai Valley. The town is adjacent to the Ventura River and nearby Lake Casitas.