Süüdimõista

Süüdimõista is an Estonian verb that translates to "to convict" or "to find guilty" in English. It is a legal term used in the criminal justice system to describe the formal declaration by a court of law that an individual has been found responsible for committing a crime. This declaration follows a trial or a plea of guilty.

When a person is süüdimõistud, it signifies that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, or that the accused has admitted their guilt. The conviction is a crucial step in the legal process, as it precedes the sentencing phase where the punishment for the crime is determined.

The act of süüdimõista involves a judge or a jury making a determination based on the evidence, testimonies, and legal arguments presented during the proceedings. It is a formal judgment that carries significant legal and social consequences for the convicted individual. The opposite of being süüdimõistud is being õigeks mõistetud, which means to be acquitted or found not guilty.