Select the appropriate definition for absolute discharge (adult sentence).

• A. A type of punishment that allows offenders to serve their sentence in the community, bound by specific conditions as outlined by the court
• B. The court suspends imposing the possible jail sentence and releases the offender on probation. The offender remains out of custody and is required to abide by conditions
• C. There is a finding of guilt. No conviction is registered and no conditions are imposed
• D. The offender is fined and released on probation

Answer: (C)

Absolute discharge represents a finding of guilt without creating a criminal record and without imposing any conditions. In practice, the court acknowledges the offender’s guilt, but nothing more is imposed—no conviction is entered and no probation, fines, or community requirements follow. This sets it apart from other dispositions that involve conditions, probation, or a recorded conviction. The other descriptions describe outcomes that include conditions or a conviction, which is why they don’t fit the definition of an absolute discharge.