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").
Palo Verde (Hanyomalivah in Mojave; formerly, Paloverde) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California, United States. Palo Verde is located on the Riverside County line 65 miles (105 km) northeast of El Centro, The population was 236 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area'. State Route 78 (Ben Hulse Highway) goes north-south through the community. The majority of its population lives east of SR78 and west of the nearby Colorado River. Its name comes from the Spanish for stick (palo) and green (verde). Therefore, its name literally means "green stick. " The Imperial County line passes just north of the town. A community named Ripley, in Riverside County lies along SR78 between Blythe and Palo Verde. ZIP Code for the community is 92266 and there is no postal delivery, (residents use post office boxes). There is a U.S. Postal Service post office and an Imperial County Sheriff's substation. The first post office to operate at Palo Verde opened in 1903 as Paloverde, changed its name to Palo Verde in 1905, and closed in 1940. A post office was re-established in 1949.