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").
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fifth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 18,504 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher education in the state. The mayor is Tim Reed.