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").
Shepardsville (also Shephardsville or Shepherdsville) is an unincorporated community in northeastern Fayette Township, Vigo County, Indiana, United States. It lies along Trinity Ave. , north of the city of Terre Haute, the county seat of Vigo County. Its elevation is 502 feet (153 m), and it is located at 39°36′3″N 87°25′3″W / 39.60083°N 87.4175°W / 39.60083; -87.4175 (39.6008700, -87.4175194). Although Shepardsville is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 47880. The community is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.