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").
Blodgett is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Oregon, United States, where Oregon Route 180 meets U.S. Route 20 in the Central Oregon Coast Range 15 miles west of Corvallis. It is near the confluence of the Tumtum and Marys rivers. Blodgett was named for pioneer settler William Blodgett. The post office was established in April 1888 with the name "Emrick", for a local family and was changed to Blodgett shortly thereafter. Blodgett is part of the Philomath School District. The 25-student Blodgett Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade; older students attend Philomath Middle School and Philomath High School in nearby Philomath.