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").
Universal City is a community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, that encompasses the 415 acre (.65 sq mi) property of Universal Studios. Approximately 70 percent of the property is in an unincorporated area of the county surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, and the remaining area is inside the Los Angeles city limits. Universal City is unincorporated to avoid City of Los Angeles business taxes and regulations (the community has a building permit office on site, simplifying the building process). Located in Universal City are 10 Universal City Plaza, a 36-floor office building for Universal and NBC, the Sheraton Universal, the Universal Hilton, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, the Universal CityWalk shopping and entertainment center, the Gibson Amphitheatre, and Universal's studios, sets, and lots. The Metro Rail Red Line Universal City station is located across the street from 10 Universal Plaza. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department station is located at Universal CityWalk. It is also the home to the only paid government operated fire station on private property, Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51. This station number holds special significance to Universal. Station 51 was the fictional home of the Jack Webb/Universal television series, Emergency! The ZIP Code is 91608 and the community is inside area code 818.