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").
Arroyo Seco is an unincorporated community in Taos County near Taos, New Mexico, United States. Arroyo Seco's economy is based on tourism and services to residents of retirement and vacation homes. Arroyo Seco has a post office, with the ZIP code 87514. The 87514 ZIP Code Tabulation Area had a population of 1,310 at the 2000 census, with 996 housing units, a land area of 53.63 sq. miles, a water area of 0.05 sq. miles, and a population density of 24.43 people per sq. mile at Census 2000. Arroyo Secos's elevation is 7,634 feet.