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").
Sound Beach is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 9,807 at the 2000 census. Sound Beach is a community in the north part of the Town of Brookhaven. History: The hamlet of Sound Beach came into existence in the late 1920’s. The property lots in the area were being sold in the New York Daily Mirror in New York City. Middle income residents of New York City who subscribed to the Mirror could buy parcels for less than $15.00 that were paid off incrementally until title was given to the property. The early residents erected large tents on their property during the summer months. Eventually small cottages or bungalows, as they were called dotted the area. At one time Sound Beach had a police force prior to the establishment of the Suffolk County Police. Days were spent on the pristine Long Island Sound beach to the north of town. Early residents were mostly of German, Irish and Italian descent. Sound Beach was a summer community for about 40 years after its development. Most residents left to go back to their winter residences after Labor Day. Today the hamlet is a year round community where many of the small plots have been developed to sustain modern homes. The beaches are not as pristine or crowded as they were in the past but the beauty of this little town still remains. Few of the remaining cottages still exist.