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").
Byfield is a parish in the town of Newbury, in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It borders West Newbury, Georgetown, and Rowley. It is located about 30 miles north-northeast of Boston, along Interstate 95, about 10 miles south of the border between New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Byfield Snuff Co. was a successful business at the beginning of the twentieth century. Byfield was also the home of Governor William Dummer. The village was granted a ZIP Code (01922) and post office following a visit from John F. Kennedy when he was visiting Governor Dummer Academy, a prep school located in Byfield near U.S. 1. The village consists of mainly residential homes with a few local businesses. It also contains the Newbury town library and Triton Regional High School, which serves three towns, as well as the prestigious private academy Governor's Academy (previously known as Governor Dummer Academy after one of the founders of the Newbury area). An arts center and Pearson's deer farm are also located in Byfield. An festival called "Byfield Days" takes place during the first weekend in July, including the crowning of Miss Byfield and a woodsmen's contest.