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").
This article is about the community in New Jersey. For the article about the city in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, see: Allentown, Pennsylvania. Allentown is a Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 1,882. The 2006 census estimated population was 1,847. Allentown was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 29, 1889, from portions of Upper Freehold Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Allentown's shopping district has antique and specialty shops, as well as restaurants. Many historic homes and historic buildings are located in the borough. The borough received the 'Village Center' designation in 2002.