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").
Southmont is an unincorporated community in Davidson County, North Carolina. It is located along North Carolina State Highway 8 on the northern shores of High Rock Lake. There is an organized effort underway to Incorporate Southmont as The Village of Southmont.