acquittal

Definition

The formal legal ruling that someone is not guilty of the crime they were charged with—basically the defendant's "get out of jail free" card, except it's earned through trial rather than found in a board game. It's the official end to criminal prosecution and triggers double jeopardy protections, meaning you can't be tried again for the same offense. Unlike a dismissal, an acquittal happens after the prosecution has presented its case.

Example Usage

The acquittal came as a shock to prosecutors who thought they had a slam-dunk case.

Source: Legal terminology via standard dictionary definition

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wylym

Watch Your Language Young Man...