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").
Prairieville is an unincorporated community in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is south of Baton Rouge and north of Gonzales, Louisiana. Prairieville is an expanding bedroom suburb of Baton Rouge. Its name comes from the once plentiful pastures and prairies that were visible from Highway 73 (Jefferson Hwy. ) and U.S. 61 Airline Highway. The most notable of these was the Phillips Farm. The farmhouse is still a local landmark in Prairieville, although the original owner died in 2005. The house is lined with live oaks and a white planked fence surrounds the grounds. The pasture was sold off in 1992 at the start of the suburban development and a 250-resident subdivision named "Seven Oaks" surrounds the farm where the pastures were. In 2006, the farmhouse was sold at auction following the death of Dr. Carey A. Phillips. The 40-acre (160,000 m) tract of land (including the house) has been made into a cemetery now called Oak Lane Memorial Park. In recent decades, Prairieville has benefited from immigration out of Baton Rouge, with new residents particularly drawn to the area by its high-performing public schools and low crime rate. Prairieville has an estimated population of 30,000 and is thinking about incorporating; if so, it would be the largest city in Ascension Parish. Prairieville is in one of the fastest growing areas in Louisiana. The latitude of Prairieville is 30.302N. The longitude is -90.971W. Elevation is 23 feet (7.0 m).