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").
Windom is a city in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,490 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cottonwood County. Windom has been assigned ZIP code 56101 by the USPS. Although it is a small, rural farming community, Windom is host to several parks including a newly installed disc golf course at Mayflower Park. The Des Moines River flows through Windom, and serves as a gentle, rapid-free canoeing spot. Windom is the birthplace of composer Maria Schneider, game show announcer Johnny Olson, and professional football player Larry Buhler. While Windom is known to be quite wild, common consensus agrees the next town is Wilder.