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").
Chestnutridge is an unincorporated community in southern Christian County, Missouri and is located about fourteen miles south of Ozark. It is located on Route 176 about two miles west of U.S. Route 65. Chesnutridge is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.