A conviction is the result of a criminal trial which ends in a judgment that the accused is guilty as charged. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime in question, in order for the defendant to be found guilty of the crime. Once a criminal defendant is convicted, he or she will be sentenced, and the conviction will become a part of the person's criminal record. A plea of guilty by the defendant becomes a conviction once the judge accepts the plea. The judge should ensure that the defendant fully understands his or her rights and that by entering a plea of guilty, the defendant is forever giving up his or her right to a trial by jury for that specific crime. For more information on convictions, contact a qualified criminal attorney.