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").
Crookston is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is the county seat of Polk County. Its population was estimated at 7,790 in 2008. It is part of the "Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area" or "Greater Grand Forks". Crookston is the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston. Since Crookston is close to the larger city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, many people who live in Crookston commute to jobs in the Grand Forks area. KROX 1260 AM is Crookston's only local radio station. The local newspaper is the Crookston Daily Times.