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").
Merrill is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States, along the Floyd River. The population was 754 at the 2000 census. Merrill is among the oldest towns in northwest Iowa. Named for Governor Samuel Merrill, the city was officially recognized on February 27, 1872. In 2007, the city hired Drake University public relations seniors to research and develop strategies to attract new residents.