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").
Sycamore (also Lay) is an unincorporated community in northern Montgomery County, Kansas, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 75 north of the city of Independence, the county seat of Montgomery County. Its elevation is 843 feet (257 m), and it is located at 37°19′37″N 95°42′56″W / 37.32694°N 95.71556°W / 37.32694; -95.71556 (37.3270085, -95.7155358). Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 67363.