Guilty

Guilty is an adjective used to describe a person who has committed a crime or offense and is legally responsible for it, or, more generally, a person who feels responsible for wrongdoing. The related noun guilt denotes the state of having committed an offense or the feeling of responsibility for an offense. In everyday language, guilt often refers to a moral or emotional burden rather than a formal legal finding.

Guilty derives from Old English gylt, meaning offense or fault, and is cognate with Dutch schuld and German Schuld, all linked to the concept of debt or liability.

In criminal law, guilt is a finding of culpability established by evidence and legal standards. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; a conviction requires proof of actus reus and mens rea, except in strict liability offenses where intent may be irrelevant. A verdict of guilty imposes penalties such as imprisonment, fines, or probation.

Guilt as an emotional experience can motivate reparative actions, apologies, or restitution, but excessive guilt can contribute to distress or disorder. Some cultures distinguish guilt from shame, with varying emphasis on individual responsibility versus social sanction.

Related concepts include culpability, remorse, innocence, and shame.