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").
Atlanta is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and does not have any legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 757 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Montmorency County. The community is centered on the junction between M-32 and M-33 at 45°00′17″N 84°08′38″W / 45.00472°N 84.14389°W / 45.00472; -84.14389 in the east-central portion of Briley Township. East of Atlanta, M-32 and M-33 run concurrently for about six miles. The CDP also includes a small portion of Avery Township east of Atlanta and south of the Thunder Bay River. The Atlanta post office opened under the name Big Rock on March 24, 1882; the name was changed to Atlanta on October 2, 1882. The Sno*Drift rally racing event is held in Atlanta annually. The event is currently the first Rally America National Rally Championship event of the season.