exculpate

Exculpate is a verb meaning to clear someone from alleged fault or guilt, or to prove that a person is not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. It can refer to actions, evidence, or arguments that remove liability. In legal contexts, exculpatory evidence is information that may exonerate a defendant or cast doubt on the prosecution’s case, such as alibi records, inconsistent testimony, or other materials favorable to the defense. The discovery or use of exculpatory evidence can influence a trial, potentially leading to a halted proceeding, a revised ruling, or charges being dropped.

Etymology and usage: exculpate derives from Late Latin exculpare, from ex- “out” + culpa “blame.” Related forms include exculpation (the act of clearing from blame) and exculpatory (adjective describing evidence or statements that tend to clear). In everyday language, exculpate is often used interchangeably with exonerate, though some nuance exists: exculpate emphasizes clearing someone of blame, while exonerate can imply a formal absolution of guilt after review or investigation. In legal writing, exculpate typically appears in discussions of evidence, arguments, or procedures that negate the charged wrongdoing.