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").
Ashton is an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. The commercial center of Ashton lies at the junction of Route 108 (Ashton Road) and New Hampshire Avenue. The United States Census Bureau combines Ashton with the nearby community of Sandy Spring to form the Census-Designated Place of Ashton-Sandy Spring, and all census data are tabulated for this combined entity. The Sandy Spring Museum, located in the heart of Sandy Spring is a historical museum offering educational displays and programs.