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").
Linwood is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 7,172. Linwood was originally incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1889, from portions of Egg Harbor Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. Linwood was incorporated as a city on April 27, 1931, replacing Linwood borough. The city lies approximately nine miles to the west of Atlantic City and is bounded by the municipalities of Northfield, Egg Harbor Township and Somers Point, and is well known for its large, expensive homes, particularly in communities such as The Gold Coast, Fischer Woods, and Fischer Greene.