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").
Stendal is an unincorporated community in southern Lockhart Township, Pike County, Indiana, United States. It lies along State Road 257 southeast of the city of Petersburg, the county seat of Pike County. Its elevation is 610 feet (186 m), and it is located at 38°16′0″N 87°8′40″W / 38.266667°N 87.14444°W / 38.266667; -87.14444 (38.2667177, -87.1444478). Although Stendal is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 47585. Stendal is the hometown of former U.S. Senator Vance Hartke who starred for the Stendal Aces basketball team in high school.