California legal term
conviction in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “conviction” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “conviction” mean in California criminal law?
“conviction” includes the dismissal of a traffic violation on the condition that the defendant attend a court-ordered traffic violator school, as authorized by Sections 41501 and 42005 of the Vehicle Code. (Cal. Penal Code § 1465.8)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.