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").
Peace Dale (also spelled Peacedale) is a village in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Together with the village of Wakefield, it is treated by the U.S. Census as a component of the census designated place identified as Wakefield-Peacedale, Rhode Island. The Peace Dale Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an historic district in 1987. The historic district is roughly bounded by Kersey Rd. , Oakwoods Dr. , Kingstown Rd. , School, Church and Railroad Sts. , and contains the historic core of the village.