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").
Buena Vista (pronounced "BYOO-nah VIHS-tah") is a city in Marion County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,664 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Marion County. It is the birthplace of Congressional Medal of Honor winner Luther H. Story . The visionary art site Pasaquan is located four miles from Buena Vista, in rural Marion County.