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").
Jerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,984 at the 2000 census, and the population was 8,373 in the 2008 official US Census estimate. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Yvonne Hartmann. Jerseyville is a part of Southern Illinois, the Metro-East region, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.