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").
Ponca City is a city in in Ponca and Páⁿka Chína in Otoe, the languages of two nearby tribes. Located in north central Oklahoma, it lies 18 miles (29 km) south of the Kansas border and 15 miles (24 km) east of Interstate 35. The population was 25,919 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city in Kay County. The city is near the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River and Kaw Lake, which provide recreational opportunities. Ponca City is served by Ponca City Regional Airport.