What is the difference between a dismissal and a conviction?

A dismissal and a conviction are two possible outcomes of a criminal case. In California, a dismissal is when the criminal charges are dropped without a conviction. This means that the defendant is cleared of any guilt and is no longer considered to have committed the crime. The criminal case is closed with no legal consequences. A conviction, on the other hand, occurs when the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty by a jury or judge. This means that the individual has been found responsible for the crime and there will be legal consequences, such as fines and possible jail time. For drug crimes, the consequences might include mandated therapy or drug rehabilitation programs. Therefore, the main difference between a dismissal and a conviction is that a dismissal brings no legal consequences, while a conviction does. A dismissal might be the result of the prosecution deciding the case does not have enough evidence to continue or that the evidence presented fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the crime. A conviction is the result of the court deciding that the defendant is guilty of the crime and will face legal consequences as a result.

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What is the difference between a dismissal and a conviction?

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