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").
Clinton is a census-designated place on southern Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village was 868. However, the post office serves at least 2,500 people. Clinton is the western terminus of the Whidbey Island (Clinton)-to-Mukilteo Washington State Ferries route. It is served by State Route 525 and several major county roads. Even though the village area of Clinton is small, people as far as 7 miles (11.5 km) away consider Clinton to be their home. Much of the village is situated on a high bluff overlooking Saratoga Passage on Puget Sound. However, the community of Columbia Beach rests at sea level. There are two grocery stores in Clinton, one in the village proper, and another a few miles east at Ken's Korner. Additionally, Clinton has the only fast food restaurant, a Dairy Queen, on the South End of Whidbey Island. The village recently built a library that is now part of the Sno-Isle Regional Library System. Based on per capita income, Clinton ranks 79th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked. It is also the highest rank achieved in Island County.