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").
Hudson is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,775. Its 2008 estimated population was 11,865. Hudson has experienced considerable growth in recent years because of its proximity to the Twin Cities. Hudson, along with the rest of St. Croix County, is part of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area. The village of North Hudson is located directly to the north of Hudson.