conviction

Conviction, in criminal law, is a formal judicial finding that a person is guilty of a crime. It typically results from a jury verdict of guilty or from a guilty plea, and represents the legal conclusion that the accused committed the offense charged. A conviction is distinct from an acquittal, which means the defendant is not guilty, and from a mere accusation, which has not yet been proven in court. The consequences of a conviction can include penalties such as imprisonment, fines, probation, and mandatory rehabilitation.

Procedurally, the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If a conviction occurs, the court imposes sentencing, which may involve incarceration, community supervision, or other sanctions. A conviction often leaves a criminal record and can entail collateral consequences beyond the sentence, such as ineligibility for certain rights or programs, voter restrictions, firearm prohibitions, and employment or housing barriers. Depending on jurisdiction, some records may be sealed, expunged, or pardoned after serving the sentence or meeting specific criteria.

Convictions are primarily a matter of criminal law; outcomes in civil cases may involve judgments of liability but are not described as convictions. Most legal systems allow appeals or other post-conviction relief to challenge a conviction on grounds such as procedural error or ineffective assistance of counsel. Remedies can include reversal, modification of the judgment, a new trial, or clemency/pardon in exceptional circumstances.

Beyond law, conviction can also refer to a firmly held belief or principle. In this sense, it denotes a subjective confidence or stance rather than a legal determination.