Acquittal is a legal term referring to the verdict in a criminal trial where the defendant is found not guilty of the charges against them. It signifies that the prosecution failed to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in the defendant being cleared of all accusations. An acquittal can occur through a jury’s decision or a judge’s ruling after a trial. It does not necessarily mean the defendant is innocent but rather that there was insufficient evidence to convict them. Following an acquittal, the defendant is generally released from custody and cannot be retried for the same offence due to the principle of double jeopardy.
A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged.
A decision by a judge or jury that a defendant in a criminal case is not guilty of a crime. An acquittal is not a finding of innocence; it is simply a conclusion that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The act of fulfilling the duties (of a given role, obligation etc.).
- A legal decision that someone is not guilty with which they have been charged, or the formal dismissal of a charge by some other legal process.
- Payment of a debt or other obligation; reparations, amends.
- The act of releasing someone from debt or other obligation; acquittance.
- Avoidance of danger; deliverance.
The legal and formal certification of the innocence of a person who has been charged with a crime.
To be acquitted of a crime is to be deemed to be innocent of the charges after a court hearing. This is different from a Discharge, where the case is never heard. In general, a defendant who is acquitted can not be tried again for the same offence. If more than one defendant is on trial for the same offence (see: Accomplice), the acquittal of one of them is not admissible as evidence in favour of the others. A conviction, however, is admissible against the other defendants. This is because an acquittal is not `proof’ of innocence, it is merely an indication that the prosecution did not establish a case strong enough for a conviction. In other words, `innocent until proven guilty’ does not mean that `all are innocent until all are proven guilty’.
Acquittals in fact take place when a jury finds a verdict of not guilty. Acquittals in law take place by operation of law such as when a person has been charged as an accessory to the crime of robbery and the principal has been acquitted.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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