In the context of convictions under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, what does the term 'conviction' encompass?

The term 'conviction' under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act is broad and encompasses various outcomes of legal proceedings related to drug offenses. This includes a judgment from a court that results in a guilty verdict, an admission of guilt by the defendant, and a plea of no contest (nolo contendere), where the defendant does not contest the charges.

A judgment is the final decision made by a judge or jury regarding the outcome of a criminal trial, which typically results in a formal conviction if the defendant is found guilty. An admission of guilt explicitly indicates that the individual accepts responsibility for the offense charged, which can indeed result in a conviction. A plea of no contendere allows the defendant to accept the conviction's consequences without admitting guilt, which is also treated as a conviction for legal purposes.

This inclusive definition reflects the intent of the law to cover any circumstance where a person is held legally accountable for violations under the act, thus making it clear that all these scenarios contribute to what is defined as a 'conviction.'