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").
Free Soil is a village in Mason County of the U.S. state of Michigan.. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 177. The village is located within Free Soil Township. The village is close to the intersection of Freesoil and Custer Roads. Freesoil operates a one-building K-8 school. It was previously K-12, with the last graduating class in 2007.