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").
Vinton is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,102 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Benton County. It is also part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area. Vinton is also home of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, Iowa's state educational institution for vision-impaired students.