Acquittal
/əˈkwɪtəl/
Definitions
- (n.) A formal legal judgment that a defendant is not guilty of the charged offense.
The jury returned a verdict of acquittal after deliberating for three hours.
Forms
- acquittals
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Acquittal signifies legal exoneration following trial; it precludes retrial on the same charges under double jeopardy principles.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.