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").
Ashland is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 577 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Benton County. Ashland was incorporated on March 8, 1871 and has a Mayor-Alderman form of government. Mitch Carroll is the 28th Mayor of the Town of Ashland, and Sandra Gresham, Fort Knighton, Bobby Miller, Billy Taylor and Shannon Wilburn make up the present Board of Aldermen. William H. "Bill" Stone was elected to Mississippi State Senate in November 2007 and a special election was held in the town of Ashland to fill mayoral vacancy. Mitch Carroll defeated brother Mike Carroll by 17 votes to secure the position. Ashland is the home of the Farese Law Firm, a regional firm renowned for its criminal and civil work. The firm has most recently been involved in the high profile Mary Winkler case from Selmer, Tennessee. Ashland is also home of Bill Renick, a 2007 candidate for Governor of Mississippi. Willie Mitchell, the legendary Memphis musician, owner of Hi Records, and producer of Al Green, is also from here.