Conviction facts for kids
A conviction happens when a court decides that someone accused of breaking a law is guilty of a crime. It's like the court saying, "Yes, this person did it." The opposite of a conviction is an acquittal, which means the court found the person "not guilty." Sometimes, in Scotland, there's another decision called "not proven," which also counts as an acquittal. A person who has been convicted is called a convict. A minor conviction is like a warning from the court; it doesn't usually cause big problems for the person but serves as a reminder.
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What is a Conviction?
A conviction is a very important decision made in a court of law. When someone is accused of doing something against the law, they go to court. The court listens to all the information and then decides if the person is guilty or not. If the court decides they are guilty, that decision is called a conviction.
How Does a Court Decide?
In court, a judge or a jury (a group of citizens) listens to all the evidence. Evidence can be things like witness stories, documents, or other facts. After hearing everything, the judge or jury makes a decision. If they believe the person broke the law, they will say the person is guilty.
Different Kinds of Court Decisions
When a court makes a decision about someone accused of a crime, there are a few possible outcomes:
Guilty Verdict (Conviction)
If the court finds the person guilty, it means they are convicted. This decision shows that the court believes the person committed the crime they were accused of. After a conviction, the court will decide what happens next, which might include a penalty or other actions.
Not Guilty Verdict (Acquittal)
An acquittal means the court found the person not guilty. This happens when the court decides there isn't enough evidence to prove the person committed the crime, or that the person didn't do it. When someone is acquitted, they are free to go.
Not Proven (Scotland)
In Scotland, there's a special verdict called "not proven." This is similar to "not guilty" because the person is also set free. It means the court thinks there might be some doubt, and the evidence wasn't strong enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Minor Conviction
A minor conviction is a less serious type of conviction. It's often like a formal warning. It means the court found the person did something wrong, but it's not a major offense. These warnings are usually given for small rule breaks and don't usually lead to big punishments.
Who is a Convict?
A person who has been found guilty of a crime and received a conviction is sometimes called a convict. This term is usually used for people who have been convicted of more serious crimes.
See also
In Spanish: Sentencia para niños
