Does acquitted mean not guilty
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This may happen due to different factors, including lack of evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, errors made during the defendant’s arrest or interrogation, or the case presented by the prosecution was not convincing enough to convict.Ĭriminal defense attorneys will seek acquittal when problems with a case could prevent a fair hearing, if there is anecdotal or weak evidence against the defendant, or when the arrest, collection of evidence, or other details were carried out improperly. When Might An Acquittal Be Made?īecause acquittal does not necessarily mean not guilty, defense lawyer advise that it is a judgment used to relieve an accused from the charges that were filed for various reasons. Some cases are closed for other reasons if there are factors involved that prevent the court from reaching a definitive decision. How Do Acquittals and Not Guilty Verdicts Differ?Īlthough the term is commonly used interchangeably, defense attorneys advise that being acquitted is slightly different than being found not guilty.Ī not guilty verdict is an acquittal because the case is closed and no conviction is made however, not all acquittals come with a not guilty verdict. Acquittal - The case is closed and charges are dropped due to some reason that prevents the court from determining guilt or innocence.Not Guilty - There is not enough evidence to prove the defendant committed the crime they are charged with they might not be innocent, but cannot be convicted, either.Guilty - There is enough evidence to prove that the defendant did commit the crime they are charged with.Innocent - The defendant is found not to have committed the crime they are charged with.When defense lawyers and defendants head to court after criminal charges have been made, there are multiple different verdicts that can result after arguments are made and evidence is presented: What Are the Different Verdicts for A Criminal Case? Though very similar to the verdict of not guilty, criminal defense lawyers point out that the two do differ slightly, so it’s important to acknowledge and understand that difference. Verdicts of not guilty and guilty are fairly self-explanatory but there is also the possibility of acquittal.
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In being charged with a crime in Texas, defense attorneys find that defendants can typically expect one of three results to their case.