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").
Cedar Park is a city that lies primarily in Williamson County (and, to a lesser extent, Travis County) in the U.S. state of Texas. From a population of 5,161 in 1990, Cedar Park has grown to approximately 62,308 as of the 2009 U.S. Census Estimate. The city is a major suburb of Austin, the center of which is approximately 16 miles to the southeast, although Austin directly borders Cedar Park at the latter's southern extent.