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").
State Road is an unincorporated community located in the Bryan Township of Surry County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the State Road postal district (28676) had a total population of 3,047. The community's unique name is derived from its location on U.S. Route 21.