What does acquittal mean?

An important part of the criminal justice system is that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are charged with a crime, it is automatically assumed by the court that you are guilty. However, if you are acquitted, you walk free. This means that you are officially found not guilty of the crime you are charged with. There are two primary reasons why someone might be found not guilty of a crime.

What is an acquittal mean?

An acquittal is when a jury decides that there is not enough evidence to convict an individual for a crime. This does not mean that the person is guilty, but rather that the prosecution’s case did not meet the required burden of proof. The burden of proof is the requirement that the prosecution prove the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In a criminal trial, the prosecution’s job is to prove each element of the crime so that the jury can find the defendant guilty.

What does acquittal mean in law?

A person is acquitted if they are found not guilty of the charges against them. It’s important to note that jurors can return a “not guilty” verdict for any reason. The court will not second guess the jurors’ decision so long as the evidence presented at trial was not sufficient to convict the person of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is acquittal mean in criminal law?

A criminal trial can end in either a guilty or not guilty verdict. An acquittal means that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. You were cleared of the crime you were accused of committing, so you did not receive a conviction. For example, if you were charged with assault and the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, you would be acquitted of the crime of assault.

What does acquittal mean in court?

An acquittal in a criminal case means that the jury found the prosecution’s case to be insufficient and that you did not commit the crime you were accused of. If the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime you were charged with, then you are not guilty and the charges against you will be officially cleared.