What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?

An acquittal and a conviction are the two possible outcomes of a criminal trial. In California, and throughout the United States, drug crimes law is an area of criminal law that deals with illegal possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of controlled substances. A conviction occurs when a person is found guilty of a crime in a criminal trial. In a conviction, the defendant is found guilty of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt and the judge hands down a sentence. The sentence may include a fine, probation, or jail time. An acquittal occurs when a jury finds a defendant not guilty, which means that the jury believes the defendant is innocent and there was not enough evidence to convict them. An acquittal can happen in several ways, such as if the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict, the judge or the prosecutor dismisses the case, or the defendant is found not guilty by the court. In drug crimes cases, the difference between acquittal and convictions can have major implications, as the punishments associated with a conviction may far outweigh those associated with an acquittal, depending on the severity of the crime. Therefore, it is in the defendant’s best interest to be acquitted as opposed to convicted when facing a drug crime charge.

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What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?

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