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").
Birdsboro is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, eight miles (13 km) southeast of Reading. In the past, Birdsboro was noted for its large foundries and machine shops, none of which remain in operation today. The population increased slowly from 2,261 in 1890 to 2,264 in 1900 to 2,930 in 1910. The population was 5,064 at the 2000 census. In 1987, torrential rains over a period of several days caused Hay Creek to flood Pennsylvania Route 82, which runs through the borough, and wash out several bridges. After many years of discussion between local and state officials, the decision was finally made in 2004 that the bridges should not be rebuilt. Instead, the former road connecting Birdsboro to Robeson Township would be used formally as a nature trail, as it had been informally used since the time of the flood.