A legal judgment that declares a defendant not guilty of criminal charges, either by jury verdict or judge's ruling. An acquittal means the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, legally clearing the accused.
From Old French 'acquiter,' meaning 'to pay off' or 'to discharge a debt,' derived from Latin 'ad' (to) and 'quietus' (quiet/settled). The legal meaning evolved from the concept of settling or clearing one's account with justice.
The ancient principle behind acquittal—'better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer'—shaped legal systems worldwide and reflects society's decision to err on the side of protecting individual rights. Famous acquittals like O.J. Simpson's show how this principle can produce controversial results that test public faith in justice.
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