convicted

A conviction is a type of criminal sentence that includes a permanent criminal record.

If a judge or jury finds you guilty of a crime, the judge decides your sentence. The judge can either convict you or discharge you.

But if you’re a young person under age 18, the judge is not allowed to convict you. They can only give you a youth sentence.

If the judge convicts you, the judge will give you a punishment like a fine, probation, or jail time. You’ll also have a permanent criminal record.

If the judge gives you an absolute discharge, you’ll have no punishment and no criminal record. You are free to go.

If the judge gives you a conditional discharge, you’ll have no punishment but you’ll have to follow certain rules until the conditional discharge is finished. The conditional discharge can last for up to 3 years. You will have a temporary criminal record until the conditional discharge is finished.