notguilty

Not guilty is a legal verdict delivered by a judge or jury in a criminal trial. It signifies that the prosecution has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime they were accused of. This verdict does not necessarily mean the defendant is innocent; rather, it means the legal standard for conviction has not been met.

The concept of "not guilty" is a cornerstone of many legal systems, particularly those based on common law. It reflects the principle that the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution. If the prosecution cannot provide sufficient evidence to convince the fact-finder of the defendant's guilt, then a not guilty verdict is the appropriate outcome.

A not guilty verdict means the defendant is acquitted of the charges. This prevents them from being tried again for the same crime under the principle of double jeopardy. However, it is important to distinguish a not guilty verdict from an "innocent" verdict, as the former is a legal finding of insufficient evidence, while the latter would imply an affirmative finding of innocence. The absence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is the critical factor in a not guilty decision.