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").
Pierce is an unincorporated community in Wharton County, Texas, United States. It is located along U.S. Highway 59 in central Wharton County, approximately five miles northeast of El Campo and eight miles southwest of Wharton. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 49 in 2000. Although it is unincorporated, Pierce has a post office, with the ZIP code of 77467. Public education in the community of Pierce is provided by the El Campo Independent School District and Wharton Independent School District.