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").
Petersburg is a city in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,167 at the 2000 census. Petersburg is named after Richard Peters, who sold the land necessary to found the town in 1836. It was originally called Summerfield and Peters was its first postmaster, but it was later named Petersburgh in honor of Peters and was eventually shortened to Petersburg. Petersburg is served by Summerfield Schools.