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").
Harwood Heights is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,297 at the 2000 census. The current Mayor is Arlene Jezierny. She is the second woman to serve as mayor in Harwood Heights, the first being Mayor Margaret Fuller. Harwood Heights is located at 41°57′58″N 87°48′20″W / 41.96611°N 87.80556°W / 41.96611; -87.80556 (41.966172, -87.805576). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land. Harwood Heights is surrounded by Chicago and Norridge.