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").
Ballwin is a second-ring western suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 30,264 as of 2006. It was named by Money Magazine in 2005 as 64th on the list of the 100 best cities in America. It is the only city in America named Ballwin.