Acquittal

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Acquittal (pronounced: ak-wit-al) is a legal term used to describe the act of formally and legally clearing a person of criminal charges.

Etymology

The term "acquittal" originates from the Old French word "acquiter," which means "to pay off, free, clear." It is a combination of "a" (to) and "quite" (clear, free).

Definition

An Acquittal is a verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged. This verdict can be reached if the court finds that there is not enough evidence to convict the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

Related Terms

  • Verdict: A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case.
  • Defendant: An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
  • Prosecution: The party who is bringing a charge against a defendant in a court of law.
  • Reasonable Doubt: The standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in most adversarial legal systems.
  • Conviction: A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.

See Also

External links

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