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").
Farmington Hills is an affluent community in Southeastern Michigan. It is the largest city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 82,111 at the 2000 census. It is an upscale, northwestern suburb of Metropolitan Detroit. Although the two cities have separate services and addresses, Farmington and Farmington Hills are often thought of as the same community. Features of the community include a recently renovated downtown, shops, a vintage cinema, numerous restaurants, upscale car dealerships, art galleries, and one of Oakland County's largest public parks, Heritage Park. There are many historical sites, such as 'The Longacre House' of Farmington Hills, and 'The Governor Warner Mansion'. Both cities are served by the Farmington Hills Community School District, which is one of the top rated public school systems in the state. Due to its close location to other affluent communities of West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and Novi, the communities' real estate values tend to be higher than those in the city of Farmington.