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Definition of conviction noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    conviction

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//kənˈvɪkʃn//
     
     
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  1. 1[countable, uncountable] conviction (for something) the act of finding someone guilty of a crime in court; the fact of having been found guilty She has six previous convictions for theft. He plans to appeal against his conviction. an offense which carries, on conviction, a sentence of not more than five years' imprisonment Topic CollocationsCriminal Justicebreaking the law
    • break/violate/obey/uphold the law
    • be investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraud
    • be arrested/indicted/convicted on felony charges/on charges of rape/fraud
    • be arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shoplifting
    • be accused of/be charged with murder/homicide/four counts of fraud
    • face two charges of assault and battery
    • admit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for something)
    • deny the allegations/claims/charges
    • confess to a crime
    • be granted/be refused/be released on/skip/jump bail
    the legal process
    • stand/await/bring somebody to/come to/be on trial
    • take somebody to/come to/settle something out of court
    • face/avoid/escape prosecution
    • seek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counsel
    • hold/conduct/attend/adjourn a hearing/trial
    • sit on/influence/persuade/convince/advise a jury
    • stand/appear/be brought before a judge
    • plead guilty/not guilty to a crime
    • be called to/take/put somebody on the stand/the witness stand
    • call/subpoena/question/cross-examine a witness
    • give/hear the evidence against/on behalf of somebody
    • raise/withdraw/overrule an objection
    • reach a unanimous/majority verdict
    • return/deliver/record a verdict of guilty/not guilty
    • convict/acquit the defendant of the crime
    • secure a conviction/your acquittal
    • lodge/file an appeal
    • appeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdict
    sentencing and punishment
    • sentence somebody to 5 years in prison/2 years' probation
    • carry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentence
    • receive/be given the death penalty
    • be sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)
    • carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3,000)/a penalty (of 14 years' imprisonment)
    • be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murder
    • do/serve time/ten years
    • be sent to/put somebody in/be released from jail/prison
    • be/put somebody/spend 13 years on death row
    • be granted/be denied/violate (your) parole
    • ⇨ more collocations at crime
    opposite acquittal
  2. 2[countable, uncountable] conviction (that…) a strong opinion or belief strong political/moral convictions She was motivated by deep religious conviction. a conviction that all would be well in the end
  3. 3[uncountable] the feeling or appearance of believing something strongly and of being sure about it “Not true!” she said with conviction. He said he agreed but his voice lacked conviction. The leader's speech in defense of the policy didn't carry much conviction.
  4. Idioms
    have/lack the courage of your convictions
     
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    to be/not be brave enough to do what you feel to be right
See conviction in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary