Are Not Guilty And Acquitted The Same Thing? Not Quite

It is true that acquittal is a general term that means not guilty. However, there is a difference between the two. If you are curious about the difference, keep reading. If you are facing criminal charges, contact a criminal defense attorney who can help you: Chambers & Ball at 714-760-4088.

Not Guilty Has a Specific Meaning

If a person is found not guilty from a crime, it means that they are not legally answerable for the crime they were charged for. Generally, this means that the prosecution did not meet their burden of proof. An acquittal means that a judge or jury found that a person was not guilty of the crime they were charged with.

What an Acquittal Means – and What it Does Not Mean

An acquittal does not mean that a person is innocent. It only means that the prosecutor was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person committed the crime. This is also different from a dismissal in that a dismissal comes before the case goes to trial. Dismissals generally occur because the judge does not feel that the case has credibility or the prosecutor does not have the evidence to support their case.

If charges are dismissed, jeopardy has not been attached and the accused can be charged again with the same crime (under certain specifications). However, if the person is acquitted, then double jeopardy has attached and the defendant cannot be prosecuted for the same crime.

It is Possible to Be Acquitted and Still Face Civil Liabilities

A person can be acquitted of a crime but then held civically liable for the same offense. This is because the standard of proof for a civil case is less than it is in a criminal case. Prosecutors must prove that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, while a personal injury attorney must only prove that the defendant is more likely to have committed the act than not committed the act.

Charges Can Also Be Reduced

When a person is charged with a serious felony, being acquitted or having their case dismissed are not the only two ways they can avoid prison. They can also have their charges reduced. In fact, finding the best possible plea deal is often the best option. When you have the right criminal defense attorney, they can aggressively negotiate to get you the best deal on the table.

If you have been charged with a crime, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. You can do so by calling Chambers & Ball at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.