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").
Mascot is a census-designated place (CDP) in Knox County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. Mascot is the site of an underground zinc mine. The community was formed as a company town centered on the mine. It is believed that Mascot is an acronym for "Mining and Smelting Company of Tennessee."