A conviction is when a person is found guilty of a crime by a court. The opposite verdict is an acquittal or (in Scotland only) a verdict of Not Proven.
The intention of the court and jury system is that only the guilty should be convicted and that the innocent should always go free. However errors can be made (in both directions) and this is the reason for the appeal system. An error that convicts an innocent person is known as a miscarriage of justice.
The next step after conviction is sentencing.
See also criminal justice, law.
A conviction is also a strong belief in something.