What is the legal term for a finding of not guilty in a criminal trial?

• A. Acquittal
• B. Bail
• C. Crime
• D. Defendant

Answer: (A)

Acquittal is the term for a finding of not guilty. In a criminal trial, if the prosecution fails to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury or judge returns an acquittal, meaning the defendant is found not responsible for the charged offense and is typically released from the case. An acquittal ends any possibility of retrying the same charge in most situations due to double jeopardy. This stands in contrast to bail, which is the temporary release of a defendant before or during trial; crime, which refers to the act itself; and defendant, the person charged with the offense.