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").
Evansville is a city in the the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Indiana, the third-largest city in Indiana after Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The largest city in Southern Indiana, the city had a total population of 121,582, and a metropolitan population of 342,815 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area. Settled in 1812, the city is situated on a gentle horseshoe bend on the Ohio River and often referred to as "River City. " One of the most popular attractions in the region is Casino Aztar, the first riverboat casino in the state of Indiana. Evansville is also home to both the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana. The broad economic base of the region has helped to build an economy which is known for its stability, diversity, and vitality. In 2004 Evansville was named an "All-America City" by the National Civic League. In 2008 it was voted the best city in the country in which "to live, work, and play" by the readers of Kiplinger, and in 2009 the 11th best.