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").
North Chelmsford is an unincorporated village in the town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, United States. Although North Chelmsford has its own zip code, library, post office, police station, fire station, and local calling area, it is run by the same local town government and is part of the same school district as Chelmsford. North Chelmsford is more industrial, more densely populated, and generally less affluent than the rest of Chelmsford. North Chelmsford's separate identity and the town government's perceived bias one way or the other is a political issue - the Lowell Sun ran an article on August 7, 2005 describing the situation as "Chelmsford's Civil War Still Raging On. " Bumper stickers such as "I'm from North Chelmsford - Don't Tread On Me" can be seen around town. When it comes to Chelmsford's rivalry with neighboring Billerica though, Chelmsford and North Chelmsford stand firmly united.