Suspect, accused, and convict, are three related legal terms which are closely tied. If someone commits a crime, but they are not officially charged, they are still a suspect and cannot be described as an accused or convict. This is particularly important to remember if you’re reporting the news.
Even if the person was seen committing the crime, they still remain a suspect until they are officially charged by the court. When the suspect has been officially charged, they become an accused. The accused will then be required to plead to the charge or charges of which he was accused. If he pleads guilty, he is easily convicted through the court process and becomes a convict. However, if he pleads not guilty, the court process to prove his innocence or guilt may be initiated.
Trial may be a long, drawn-out process. During the trial, the accused remains innocent until proven guilty – by legal definition. If the court finds the accused guilty, he becomes a convict.
Suspect, accused, and convict, then, are three closely related words.
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