An acquittal is a finding that the government did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a crime. You are not subject to any punishment, probation or supervision. You do have to answer "yes" if you are asked if you have ever been arrested or charged with a crime. But you can answer "no" if you are asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime.

A conviction is a finding that the government has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed a crime. Once you are convicted, you have to answer "yes" if you are asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime.

Conditional discharge is when someone is found guilty and the judge decides that instead of convicting them they will given them a "discharge," but with special conditions they must be abide by. If the conditions are satisfied the discharge becomes absolute and it's like you were acquitted. But, if you commit another offense while you are on conditional discharge you may be punished for both offenses.

A sentence is a punishment you are given after you are convicted of a crime. It can be:

• Probation: Probation is a sentence served in the community, where you have to follow certain conditions (staying in school, keeping a job, staying clean, keeping out of trouble, reporting once a week, etc.) instead of going to prison. If violate conditions of probation you may be sentenced to jail or prison.
• Jail: is a local facility you are sent to if your sentence is less than a year. You may also be sent to jail while you are waiting for trial if the judge does not release you on bail.
• Prison: Prisons are run by the state or federal government. They are where you are sent to serve a sentence of more than one year.
• Parole: Parole is when you are released early on conditions for good time after serving a prison sentence. If you violate conditions of parole you may have to go back to serve out the rest of your sentence in prison.