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What Does Disposition Mean?
The disposition of a criminal record is the current status or final outcome of an arrest or prosecution. Common types of dispositions include:
- Convicted: Defendant has pleaded guilty or been found guilty by a court of law.
- Acquitted: Defendant has been found not guilty.
- Dismissed: The court or prosecutor has thrown out the charge(s), terminating the case.
- No charges filed/Charges dropped: Prosecutor has declined to pursue the case.
- Vacated: The court has withdrawn the guilty plea or set aside the guilty verdict.
- Sealed: The court has restricted access to all or some of the content of the record; however, the existence of the record will still be public record.
- Expunged: Non-conviction information (such as arrest data) has been deleted.
- Pending: Case is in the process of being investigated or prosecuted.
- Diversion: Court has delayed prosecution pending the successful completion of a treatment program, at which point the charges will be dismissed.
- Suspended sentence: Court has delayed the sentencing for an offense pending the successful completion of a period of probation and/or the successful completion of a treatment program.
When Can a Disposition Occur?
Dispositions can occur at different stages of the criminal justice process, including:
- Before Trial - A disposition may occur before a jury trial via a plea bargain or diversion program. This may occur when the defendant agrees to certain conditions in exchange for completing certain requirements, such as community service or counseling.
- After Trial - A disposition may occur after a trial when the defendant is either convicted or acquitted of the charges against them. In the case where the defendant is convicted, the court will determine the appropriate sentence, which may include probation, fines, or incarceration.
Depending on the charges one is facing, the type of disposition can have a significant impact on the defendant’s future. For example, a deferred prosecution disposition may allow the defendant to avoid a criminal record if they successfully complete the program, while a conviction can have a lifelong effect on employment, housing, and other areas of life.
What Does Disposition Mean in Contract Law?
In contract law, disposition refers to government property that has been removed from use on the contract. Contract disposition transaction means:
- (i) any sale of Contracts in connection with a Securitization Transaction, a whole loan sale transaction, or any other similar transaction, or
- (ii) the distribution of cash or property in respect of the membership interests of the Borrower of Collateral.
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