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").
Erin is a town in Chemung County, New York, United States. The population was 2,054 at the 2000 census. The name was applied by early settlers from Ireland. The Town of Erin is east of Elmira and is at the county's northeast border. It is part of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area'.