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").
Meherrin is a small unincorporated community in Lunenburg and Prince Edward counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is approximately 18.6 miles by road south of Farmville. Meherrin is the childhood home and birthplace of Roy Clark, a country singer and musician known for his appearances in the television show "Hee Haw". Locally, the village is known for its 4th of July Celebration and Friday night Bingos, which are both hosted by the Meherrin Volunteer Fire Department. Meherrin is also home to a large Muslim community of 200 to 300 that in 2002 were suspected of having ties to terrorists inside and outside of the United States. The village's name was most likely adopted from that of the Meherrin Indian Tribe. There is an old wives tale that the name MEHERRIN came about because of an argument between two INDIAN dwellers that were fishing in the Meherrin River and somehow snagged the same fish. When the fish was finally reeled in, there was an argument that ensued with the Indian Fishermen each claiming "ME HERRIN", so goes the story and the name of the VILLAGE. Nearby colleges include Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Community College. Nearby schools are Prince Edward County Public Schools, Lunenburg County Public Schools, Charlotte County Public Schools, and Fuqua School(Private). Correction: Meherrin was originally named Moore's Ordinary. It was named for George Moore in August of 1748 when he was granted a license by the Amelia Court to operate an "ordinary" tavern (a tavern that provided ordinary needs for travellers). In 1852 the Richmond-Danville railroad reached Meherrin and built the Meherrin Depot, named for the tribe of Indians that lived there and along the Meherrin River. This information can be confirmed in Memories of Meherrin, compiled by Ruby Elliott Redmond and Virginia Price Waller. The book was published by Edmonds Printing/Color Images, Inc. in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Copyright 1998 Ruby Elliott Redmond and Virginia Price Waller