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").
Porterville (also Maryville) is an unincorporated community in Kemper County, Mississippi, United States. It lies a slight distance away from U.S. Route 45 southeast of the city of De Kalb, the county seat of Kemper County. Its elevation is 200 feet (61 m), and it is located at 32°41′16″N 88°28′20″W / 32.68778°N 88.47222°W / 32.68778; -88.47222 (32.6879121, -88.4722596). Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 39352. It is adjacent to Lake Porterville.