As the premier law firm of Canberra, United Legal is committed to ensure that people get the justice they deserve. Comprising of a passionate team of solicitors and barristers conveniently based in Fyshwick, ACT, we also aim to make the murky world of law understandable for you.
Law is an intricate endeavour, both in terms of practicing it and seeking to abide by it. In the domain of punishing individuals responsible for committing crimes, it can be confusing to be struck by the barrage of terms that come your way.
In this post, we shall look at the difference between admittance, conviction, and being charged for a crime, as these are some of the most common terms you will come across when working with us.
Understanding the difference between “charged” and “convicted”
To start with, it is worth realizing that, far too often, people confuse these terms with each other. This lack of comprehension makes it difficult for them to get a grip on the situation and understand the legal processes that they’re going through.
For instance, being “charged” with a crime and being “convicted” of a crime are thought to be similar. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
If someone has been “charged” with a crime, it means that the individual is suspected to be guilty of committing that crime. It is worth noting here that there is no proof whatsoever of the person’s guilt at this stage.
He or she is primarily a suspect. One of the reasons why so many people wonder how someone can charge them with a crime is because they don’t understand the fundamentals here. As the definition makes it clear, anyone can charge you with a crime, because anyone can slap an accusation on you.
On the other hand, if someone has been “convicted” of a crime, it means that he or she has been found guilty of committing that particular crime.
The culprit is found guilty as a result of substantial proof and witnesses brought against him. Evidence that renders someone well and genuinely liable is called “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The defendant is not obliged to offer any evidence, and until it is brought forward against him, he stands innocent. The amount of evidence needed to constitute proof beyond a reasonable doubt is something that is ultimately decided by the jury.
Of course, another way the charged person can stand guilty in the eyes of the law is by confessing his guilt, which brings us to admittance.
Understanding “admittance” of a crime
“Admittance” of a crime is essentially a statement given by the charged individual that he is indeed guilty of committing the crime. In some cases, the admission of guilt may be false.
This confabulation is primarily bound to happen if the individual suffers from low levels of intelligence and mental health problems in general.
In either case, the jury does not have to wait for sufficient proof because the culprit has already confessed.
Now that you have an idea of what these terms mean, you will undoubtedly stand as a more informed individual during your legal proceedings.
As a resident of Canberra, you must take immediate action to get the justice you deserve by contacting our team of professional lawyers at United Legal. They will represent you with immense enthusiasm and work closely with you to accomplish your goals.
For our legal support services
Contact us at (02) 6295 2283
or visit us at
54-56 Townsville St, Fyshwick ACT 2609
