- conviction
- An adjudication that a person is guilty of a crime based upon a verdict or, in a proper case, the ascertainment of guilt by a plea of guilty or polo contender;. 21 Am J2d Crim L § 617. Such is the primary and usual meaning of the term "conviction," but "it is possible that it may be used in such a connection and under such circumstances as to have a secondary or unusual meaning, which would include the final judgment of the court." United States v Watkinds (CC Or) 6 F 152, 158, 159; 39 Am J1st Pard § 38. There is no conviction, within the meaning of constitutional or statutory provisions disfranchising one convicted of crime, unless there is something in the nature of a final judgment upon the verdict of guilt declared by the jury; suspension of sentence or granting of probation is insufficient. Truchon v Toomey, 116 Cal App 2d 736, 254 P2d 638, 36 ALR2d 1230; Anno: 36 ALR2d 1238. The weight of authority is to the effect that the word "conviction" as used in statutes providing for increased punishment for persons formerly convicted of crime necessitates the pronouncement of sentence upon the verdict or plea of guilty in order to obtain a judgment that is final, so far as the trial court is concerned. Anno: 5 ALR2d 1104. In a few instances the view has been taken that a "conviction" results within the meaning of a habitual criminal statute even though no sentence was imposed. Anna: 5 ALR2d 1107.
Ballentine's law dictionary. Anderson, W.S.. 1998.