What does it mean to "convict" someone in a court of law?

To "convict" someone in a court of law means to find them guilty of a crime. This term specifically refers to the legal process wherein a judge or jury determines that the evidence presented in court sufficiently proves that the accused committed the offense they were charged with. A conviction results from a formal judgment that establishes that the individual has violated the law, leading to potential penalties such as fines, probation, or imprisonment.

In the context of the other options, charging someone with a crime involves the initial accusation and does not imply guilt, letting someone go free indicates they were not found guilty, and delaying a trial does not address guilt or innocence at all. Thus, only the finding of guilt aligns with the definition of a conviction.