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").
Deering is an unincorporated community in Pemiscot County, Missouri. It is located eight miles west of Caruthersville. Deering began as a lumber town in the early 1900s. After the Wisconsin Lumber Company ceased operations in Deering, the town's population began to dwindle. The town is now so small is does not even have a population sign. Just directly to the east of Deering is Pondertown. The population of these two small villages combined is probably around 150. Deering has one gas station, a fertilizer plant, a post office, and Delta C-7 schools, which houses grades K-12. Delta C-7 has an enrollment of about 250. For more information on the town of Deering, see Ophelia Richardson Wade's book, Deering Plantation.