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").
Macomb is a city located in McDonough County, Illinois founded in 1830. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg at 40°27'38" North, 90°40'27" West (40.460501, -90.674048). As of 2000, the city had a population of 21,659. It is the county seat of McDonough County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 square miles, of which, 9.9 square miles (25.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it is water. The total area is 3.90% water; the East Fork La Moine River flows past the northern part of the city. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.