Convictions

About

Convictions refers to a legal determination by a court that a defendant is guilty of a crime. This judgment may result from a guilty plea accepted by the court, a jury verdict of guilty, or a judge's finding of guilt. The opposite outcome is an acquittal. Once convicted, courts determine appropriate sentences as punishment. Convictions can carry collateral consequences affecting employment, housing, travel rights, and other aspects of life. Appeal mechanisms and post-conviction relief procedures exist to address cases where innocent people are wrongly convicted.