What is a finding of guilt?

A finding of guilt is a ruling made by a judge. A judge will make a finding of guilt in one of two situations:

• an accused has pled guilty and accepts facts that amount to a criminal offence;

OR

• the Crown has proven at a trial that an accused committed a criminal offence.

Except in certain cases, if a judge makes a finding of guilt, the judge will give the offender a sentence.

Depending on the type of sentence given, the judge may also register a conviction against the offender.