To be acquitted means that in a criminal trial, the judge or jury has found the defendant not guilty of the charges brought against them. This means the prosecution failed to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
. An acquittal formally releases the defendant from the accusation and any criminal liability related to the charge, effectively absolving them of the alleged offense
. Key points about acquittal:
- It is a legal judgment that the evidence presented was insufficient to convict the defendant
- Being acquitted does not necessarily mean the defendant is proven innocent, only that guilt was not established beyond reasonable doubt
- After an acquittal, the defendant cannot be tried again for the same offense due to the constitutional protection against double jeopardy
- Acquittal can result from a jury verdict or a judge's ruling in a bench trial
- The defendant is freed from any criminal penalties related to the charge and can return to normal life
In summary, an acquittal means the court has found that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof, and the defendant is legally cleared of the charges
