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").
Zahl is an unincorporated community in northwestern Williams County, North Dakota, United States. It lies along North Dakota Highway 50 north of the city of Williston, the county seat of Williams County. Its elevation is 2,014 feet (614 m). Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 58856.