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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

acquittal at the end of all the evidence

English answer:

found (determined) to be not guilty after all the evidence is presented

Added to glossary by Michael Powers (PhD)
Feb 28, 2009 22:20
15 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

acquittal at the end of all the evidence

English Law/Patents Law (general)
acquittal because there are no more evidence?
Responses
4 +2 found (determined) to be not guilty after all the evidence is presented
References
Acquital - differences in USA and English/Scottish Law
Change log

Mar 5, 2009 04:14: Michael Powers (PhD) Created KOG entry

Discussion

Gary D Feb 28, 2009:
acquittal at the end of all evidence, would mean that the prosecution didn't have enough evidence gain a conviction, or its evidence was flawed, so the accused is found not guilty and acquitted, (In the USA never to be accused of the same crime again )
Gary D Feb 28, 2009:
I read your reference and i still means not guilty, just in the USA an acquittal has the extra protection of the accused, in that they cannot be recharged for the same offense.

Michael's answer is still correct.
Yelena Pestereva (asker) Feb 28, 2009:
This is U.S. law.
Dr Lofthouse Feb 28, 2009:
Rather depends whether it is English or Scottish or USA Law? Which is it?

Responses

+2
2 mins
Selected

found (determined) to be not guilty after all the evidence is presented

acquital is when the defendant is determined to be "not guilty" instead of "guilty

"innocence" never has to be proven -

Mike :)

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Note added at 11 mins (2009-02-28 22:31:39 GMT)
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What I explained is relevant for the law in the US

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Note added at 42 mins (2009-02-28 23:03:06 GMT)
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Exactly. In the US, at least, when a defendant has a criminal trial, whether it is a bench trial (judge only) or with a jury, the verdict or decision is either guilty, not guilty, or a hung jury (undecided). As Gary correctly pointed out, when found not guilty, or acquitted, the defendant cannot be charged for the same crime except under exceptional circumstances, such as jury tampering (jury manipulation through threats, bribes, etc.).

In this case "acquittal" means "not guilty".

In the system in thie US, since your are presumed innocent, the jury does not find you innocent, but rather guilty or not guilty, assuming it reaches a decision.


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Note added at 4 days (2009-03-05 04:14:57 GMT) Post-grading
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My pleasure, Yelena - Mike :)
Note from asker:
So this is acquital for the reason that the person is not guilty?
Peer comment(s):
disagree Dr Lofthouse : Don't think you can state this - UK/Scotland or USA Law?
5 mins
I am referring to US Law
agree Gary D : acquittal means not guilty, aquitted of the offence = found not guilty
24 mins
Thank you, Gary - Mike :)
agree Demi Ebrite
2 days 2 hrs
Thank you, Demi - Mike :)
agree conejo
3 days 6 hrs
Thank you, conejo - Mike :)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, Michael!"

Reference comments

11 mins
Reference:

Acquital - differences in USA and English/Scottish Law

Profoundly important to know the jurisdiction of the translation - particularly if it is referring to an actual verdict or court transcript
Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquittal

Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Michael Powers (PhD) : I agree that this is very important, since the laws different from one place to another.
1 min
agree Phong Le
1 day 5 hrs
Something went wrong...
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