What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?

An acquittal and a conviction are two different outcomes of a legal trial. An acquittal occurs when a defendant is found to be not guilty of a criminal charge, whereas a conviction occurs when a defendant is found to be guilty of a criminal charge. An acquittal means that a defendant is declared to have not committed the crime that they were accused of. This decision is often based on reasonable doubt established by the defense attorney, or because the prosecution was unable to prove that the defendant did commit the crime. An acquittal has a lasting effect on the defendant’s record and they will not be subject to any further charges related to the crime. Conversely, a conviction occurs when a defendant is found guilty of a criminal charge. This is based on the prosecution demonstrating evidence that the defendant committed the crime they were accused of and the judge or jury deciding that the evidence was sufficient to warrant a conviction. Depending on the severity of the crime, a conviction can result in the defendant facing a variety of consequences such as fines, prison sentences, or even a permanent criminal record. In North Dakota, white collar crime is defined as a criminal act committed for financial gain or to deceive others. Examples of white collar crimes are fraud, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, and identity theft. If someone is found guilty of a white collar crime in North Dakota they can face criminal consequences such as imprisonment and fines.

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