Bhargav

· 13 Nov 2021

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What does an acquittal mean?

What does it mean when a case is "Acquitted"?
A judge or jury may "acquit" someone at the end of a trial by finding them not guilty. Criminal charges may or may not apply to this. When the evidence does not support the charges or the prosecution fails to prove their case, a criminal defendant is freed.

The term "judgment of acquittal" can also refer to an acquittal, absolution, dismissal, or exculpation.

The following are the most important takeaways.

•    "The defendant was found not guilty of all charges" indicates that the defendant has won the case and is free to leave.
•    If you've been found not guilty of any crime, you're out of the legal system.
•    An acquittal of some charges does not necessarily mean that you are not guilty of a lesser-included offense.


It is up to you and your legal representative to decide how to proceed with your case once charged with a specific infraction. If you enter a guilty or no contest plea, you will avoid a trial and forfeit your right to an appeal.
A judge or jury will review the evidence and decide if you plead not guilty in a trial. It would help if you were proven guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt" by the government. The jury is obligated to acquit you if there is reasonable doubt.

In Acquittals, there is double jeopardy.
A specific charge, such as theft, cannot be tried again if the jury acquits you (for the same allegations). "Double jeopardy" refers to the fact that you're being put "in jeopardy" twice.


It doesn't apply to Double Jeopardy
You may be charged with a new crime if the prosecution decides to do so. However, there must be a difference between the elements the prosecution must prove to charge you with a new crime. In other words, if the prosecution is attempting to prove the same thing more than once, it is not considered a new crime.
Also, the jury may not convict someone of robbery but convict them of lesser offenses like trespassing. This means the jury found you guilty of some of the government's charges, but not all of them.

For the most part, double jeopardy only applies to criminal cases, not civil ones. So it's possible to be cleared of involuntary manslaughter and not face any criminal consequences but still be sued in civil court for wrongful death by the deceased's family and found liable, which means you'd be responsible for compensating them.

Speak With a Proven Criminal Defense Attorney
An arrest and conviction can have a profound effect on a person's future. The immediate concern is fines or time in jail, but a conviction will also leave you with a criminal record that will make it difficult to get a job and a place to live for years to come. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately if you've been accused of a crime or if you learn that you're under investigation. To find a local criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights, lay out your options, and help you determine the best way to proceed with mounting a defense and minimizing potential penalties, you can search LawInfo's legal directory.



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