(a) A plea or verdict of guilty or finding of guilt by a court in a trial without a jury, or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of Sections 44242.5, 44345, 44346, 44346.1, 44424, and 44425, irrespective of a subsequent order for probation suspending the imposition of a sentence or an order under § 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing the withdrawal of the plea of guilty and entering a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusations or information.

(b) The record of a narcotics offense, as defined in Section 44011, shall be sufficient proof of conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude for the purposes of Sections 44907 and 44923, and Sections 44932 to 44947, inclusive, relating to the dismissal of permanent employees.

Terms Used In California Education Code 44009

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

(c) A plea or verdict of guilty, or finding of guilt by a court in a trial without a jury, or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of Sections 44836 and 45123, irrespective of a subsequent order for probation suspending the imposition of a sentence or an order under § 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing the withdrawal of the plea of guilty and entering a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusations or information. The record of conviction shall be sufficient proof of conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude for the purposes of Section 44907 and Sections 44932 to 44947, inclusive, relating to the dismissal of permanent employees.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 577, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)