Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: in placito
Summary Conviction: When someone is found guilty of a small crime, like a minor misdemeanor, by a judge without a jury, it is called a summary conviction. It is a type of judgment that says the person is guilty.
Definition: A conviction of a person for a violation or minor misdemeanor as the result of a trial before a magistrate sitting without a jury.
Example: If someone is caught speeding and is given a ticket, they may have to go to court. If the case is heard by a magistrate without a jury, and the person is found guilty, they will receive a summary conviction.
This means that they have been convicted of a minor crime without a full trial. The magistrate has made the decision based on the evidence presented to them.