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").
Powhatan is an unincorporated community in and the county seat of Powhatan County, Virginia, United States. Powhatan was initially as Scottville (after Revolutionary war hero General Charles Scott) for a brief time, and historically has also been known Powhatan Court House and Powhatan Courthouse. Powhatan is named Chief Powhatan, father of Pocahontas. The first official court of Powhatan was held at Mosby Tavern, the home of Benjamin Mosby and his son, Littleberry Mosby. Powhatan was established as a community in May of 1777, but there were several buildings already in existence at that time. One of these locations is the Powhatan Plantation which was built in 1735. The plantation still exists today. The Shiloh Baptist Church in Powhatan features the mural The Lord Over Jordan by Julien Binford, one of the artist's most famous works.