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").
The City of Evans is a Home Rule Municipality located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 9,514 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 18,842 as of July 1, 2008, by the Census Bureau. Long considered the "second" city of Weld County and a vigorous competitor with its neighbor, Greeley, for the Weld County seat, today Evans has become much more than a bedroom community. It is now a municipality that is known as a regional leader with industries and large retail locations that attract workers from the entire northeast Colorado area. Named for the second Territorial Governor of Colorado, John Evans, Evans was established in 1867 and was Weld County's seat of government twice before Greeley finally captured the honor. Legend in Evans is that the county records were stolen by night-riders from Greeley, who also supposedly burned the courthouse. Today, Evans, like other towns along the South Platte River, is home to a rapidly-growing Hispanic population. Evans has several primary commercial areas located along US-85 just south of its junction with US-34, as well along 23rd Avenue and on 37th Street with new commercial areas developing as the city expands to the west and south of the South Platte River.