A criminal conviction refers to a legal verdict that finds an individual guilty of committing a crime. It is the result of a trial or plea bargain in which a judge or jury determines that enough evidence has been presented to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the offense with which they were charged. A criminal conviction can lead to various consequences, including imprisonment, fines, probation, community service, and other penalties depending on the severity of the crime and the individual's prior criminal history.