Difference Between Charged and Convicted (With Table)

Conviction is the formal pronouncement of the judgement against the defendant, whereas charging is the accusation of a crime. This distinction is clear to all. Knowing the small difference between these two concepts, on the other hand, can mean not getting contacted for an interview at all.

This is because firms have strong policies prohibiting people from being considered for employment if they have previously been convicted of a crime. Let us break down the differences between convicted and charged to assist readers in filling out application forms more effectively.

Charged vs Convicted

The main difference between charged and convicted is that a person gets charged with a crime when the court finds him or her guilty. However, on the contrary, it is called being convicted when a person has been charged with misconduct. If a person is charged, it is sufficient for legal proceedings to begin against them in court. However, a person cannot be dragged into court simply because they have been convicted.

If a person is charged, the legal proceedings against that individual can begin immediately. The charge has sufficient evidence and witnesses to prove that a crime was committed. Anyone who has been charged will face the consequences. A formal accusation is called a charge. If a person has ever been charged with a crime, he will be barred from appearing in public or participating in certain job prospects in the future.

A person cannot be dragged into court because of a conviction. There isn’t enough evidence to convict someone because there isn’t enough evidence to convict. Only if he or she is accused will a guilty person be punished. The formal seal of the hallowed court of law is a conviction. A person who has been convicted but has not been found guilty may be eligible for employment.

Comparison Table Between Charged and Convicted

Parameters of Comparison

Charged

Convicted

Definition

When a person is finally proved guilty by the court of a crime.

When a person is accused of wrongdoing.

Proceedings of court

If a person is charged, then it’s sufficient for the procedures to start in the court against the person.

Being convicted can’t drag a person into court.

Evidence and Witness

Enough evidence and witnesses are there.

No or not enough witnesses and evidence are there.

Punishment

Punished by the court for sure.

Maybe punished, may not be punished, if not proved guilty.

Type

Formal accusation.

Formal seal of the sacred court of law.

Employment opportunities restrictions

Restricted from certain job opportunities.

No restriction if convicted is not proven guilty.

What is Charged?

Having been accused or convicted of a crime or misdemeanour is a question that appears on practically all job application forms these days. Any candidate looking for any kind of employment opportunity with the company must answer no or yes to the queries asked to demonstrate to the potential Head or boss that he is free of any kind of records and has never been charged with a crime.

Companies utilise this technique to screen new employees since they don’t want to hire anyone who has a criminal past. A person is charged with a crime when the court determines that he or she is guilty. The charge has sufficient evidence and witnesses to convict someone of committing a crime. A person who has been charged will be punished. A charge is a formal accusation of some sort.

If a person has ever been charged with a crime, he will be barred from appearing in court or participating in certain employment possibilities in the future. It’s crucial to note, however, that being accused or charged with a felony or crime simply indicates that the Cops or other law enforcement agency has reasonable reasons. Imagine that an individual has done a crime and the individual has been accused formally of the violation in an official document.

A charge against a person is enough to bring legal action against her or him. He or she isn’t guilty, however, unless it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that she or he ever committed any sort of crime.

What is Convicted?

It is called being convicted when a person is accused of misconduct. There isn’t enough evidence to convict anyone because there isn’t enough evidence to convict them. Only if a person is charged with a crime will he or she be punished. Conviction is regarded as the sacred court of law’s formal seal.

An individual who has been convicted but has not been found guilty may be given the option to work. An individual who was tried and legally prosecuted in the sacred law court is convicted.

When an individual is found guilty of all sorts of the allegations levelled against him, a group of judges or jury in the court might give their verdict or state a sentence, which can include sending the offender to prison or imposing a monetary punishment.

A person accused of a crime isn’t always proved guilty and then sentenced. Any Individual is acquitted with a not proven judgement or not guilty when the court could not find any reality or truth in the charges.

Main Differences Between Charged and Convicted

  1. When a person is finally proved guilty by the court, he or she is called charged with a crime. On the other hand, when a person is accused of wrongdoing, then it is called being convicted.
  2. If a person is charged, then it’s sufficient for the procedures to begin in the court against the person. On the other hand, being convicted can not drag a person into court.
  3. The charge has enough evidence and witnesses against the commitment of a crime. On the other hand, conviction has not enough evidence to prove anyone guilty.
  4. A person who is charged will get their punishment. On the other hand, a convicted person will be punished only if he or she is charged.
  5. A charge is a type of formal accusation. On the other hand, conviction is considered as the formal seal of the sacred court of law.
  6. If a person was ever charged with any crime, then in the future, he is being restricted from appearing or joining certain employment opportunities. On the other hand, a convicted person who wasn’t proven guilty can be given a chance of employment opportunity.

Conclusion

Charges accuse someone of committing a crime, whereas conviction is the formal pronouncement of a guilty finding. Everyone can see the disparity. Knowing the tiny differences between these two notions, on the other hand, can be the difference between being accepted to an interview and not being invited at all.

This is because firms have tight policies prohibiting people with prior convictions from being considered for employment. Having been convicted of or charged with a crime or misdemeanour is a question that appears on practically all job application forms these days.

Any candidate looking for a job with the company must respond to this question with a yes or no to demonstrate to the prospective employer that he has a clean record and has never been charged with a crime. Companies use this technique to screen new employees since they don’t want to hire anyone with a criminal record on their team.

References

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.14512
  2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%252Fs11194-005-4605-y