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").
Pomona is the fifth largest city in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 149,473. In 2005, its population was estimated as 160,815. Pomona is home to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) and the Western University of Health Sciences. Pomona College is in neighboring Claremont. The city is the site of the Fairplex, which hosts the L.A. County Fair and the NHRA POMONA RACEWAY Powerade Winternationals Drag Racing competition. and the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals. Since the 1980s, Pomona's newest neighborhood Phillips Ranch, experienced rapid growth with homes still being built in the hilly area between Downtown and Diamond Bar. Today, Phillips Ranch is nearly all residential. Northern Pomona has seen some gentrification with additional housing units added and revamped streetscapes. Pomona is located in between the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley.