Acquittal
The legal judgment that a defendant is found not guilty of a criminal charge.
What is Acquittal?
An acquittal is a court’s formal finding that a defendant is not guilty of the criminal charges. It means the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof, and the defendant cannot be retried for the same offense under double-jeopardy rules.
Why It Matters?
It ends criminal liability and fully releases the accused from the case.
Example
A defendant charged with theft is acquitted when surveillance footage shows someone else committed the act.
Related Terms
Mediation
Litigation