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").
Edison Township (usually known as Edison) is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 97,687, making it at the time the fifth largest municipality in New Jersey. As of the U.S. Census 2005 estimate, the population of Edison was 100,499, sixth in the state, and a mere 78 people behind Woodbridge Township, although the 2006 estimate had the township's population down to 99,523, moving back ahead of Woodbridge, which had 99,208 according the 2006 estimate, as the fifth largest municipality in the state. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Metuchen on March 20, 1900, and Highland Park on March 15, 1905. The name was officially changed to Edison Township as of November 10, 1954 (1954 -11-10) based on the results of a referendum passed eight days earlier. Edison was ranked the 28th most livable small city in America by Money Magazine, and the 2nd in New Jersey in 2006 in Money Magazine's "Best Places To Live". In 2008, Money Magazine ranked Edison 35 out of the top 100 places to live in America. Edison Township was not on the 2007 list because that year's list included only municipalities with a population of 50,000 or less. In the 2006 survey of America's Safest Cities, the township was ranked 23rd, out of 371 cities included nationwide, in the 13th annual Morgan Quitno survey. In 2009, Edison was ranked as one of "America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up" by U.S. News and World Report. The rankings focused on low crime, strong schools, green spaces, and abundance of recreational activities.