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").
Coldwater is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 12,697. It is the county seat of Branch County. The city is located at the center of Coldwater Township, though it is politically independent. Coldwater is at 41°56′25″N 85°00′02″W / 41.94028°N 85.00056°W / 41.94028; -85.00056. The ZIP code is 49036 and the FIPS place code is 17020. The elevation is 969 feet above sea level.