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").
Franklinton is a town in and the parish seat of Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,657 at the 2000 census. It is an average of 155 feet (47 m) above sea level. Located 61 miles (98 km) north of New Orleans, the town's name is pronounced locally as "Frank-lin-ton" or "Frank-il-ton. " Franklinton is part of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area. A Franklinton physician, Jerry Thomas, represented Washington Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1988-1999 and then served from 1999-2004 in the District 12 seat in the state senate, having succeeded Phil Short of Covington, who resigned. Dr. Thomas was the Washington Parish coroner from 1980-1988.