Is an acquittal the same as being innocent?

Not exactly. An acquittal means the prosecution failed to prove guilt 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. It is a legal finding of 'not guilty', which is not a formal declaration of factual innocence.

Can you be tried again after an acquittal?

In most common law systems with double jeopardy protections (like the UK and US), a person cannot be retried for the same crime after a formal acquittal.

What is the difference between 'acquittal' and 'dismissal' of a case?

A dismissal usually happens before a verdict, often due to procedural errors or lack of evidence. An acquittal is a verdict reached by a judge or jury after a full trial, stating the defendant is not guilty.

Does an acquittal erase the arrest record?

No, an acquittal does not automatically erase the arrest or trial from official records. The person may need to apply to have the record expunged or sealed, depending on local laws.

acˈquittal

UK/əˈkwɪt(ə)l/US/əˈkwɪt(ə)l/

Formal, Legal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A formal legal judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of.

A release or discharge from a duty, obligation, or accusation; a state of being cleared or freed from blame.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in legal contexts. The term implies a conclusion to a formal legal process, not simply a lack of accusation. Can be used metaphorically in non-legal contexts to mean 'vindication' or 'exoneration'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Both jurisdictions use the term identically within their respective legal systems.

Connotations

Carries the same formal, legal weight in both varieties.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater media coverage of court trials.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

secure an acquittalreturn an acquittalresult in acquittaljury acquittaldirected acquittal

medium

seek acquittalhope for acquittalappeal the acquittalcelebrate the acquittalshocked by the acquittal

weak

possible acquittaleventual acquittalsurprising acquittalclear acquittalacquittal rate

Grammar

Valency Patterns

acquittal of [person] on [charge]acquittal on all countsacquittal for [crime]acquittal by a juryacquittal after trial

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

exonerationabsolution

Neutral

exonerationclearingvindication

Weak

releasedischargedismissal

Vocabulary

Antonyms

convictioncondemnationsentencingprosecution

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“a clean bill of health (metaphorical equivalent)”
“walk free (colloquial result)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Possibly in contexts of regulatory investigations or corporate liability, e.g., 'The company's acquittal on fraud charges boosted its share price.'

Academic

Common in law, criminology, and political science texts discussing legal outcomes and justice.

Everyday

Used when discussing news stories about court cases. Not typical in casual conversation.

Technical

Core term in legal proceedings and documentation. Precisely denotes the verdict of 'not guilty'.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The court will acquit the defendant if the evidence is insufficient.
He was acquitted on a technicality.

American English

The jury acquitted her of all charges.
They moved to acquit the accused.

adverb

British English

Not applicable. No standard adverbial form from 'acquittal'.
The judge summarily acquitted him.

American English

Not applicable. No standard adverbial form from 'acquittal'.
He was formally acquitted.

adjective

British English

The acquitted man left the court without comment.
An acquittal verdict is final.

American English

The acquitted defendant held a press conference.
The acquittal decision was controversial.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The news reported his acquittal.
She was happy about the acquittal.

The jury's acquittal surprised many court observers.
After a long trial, the defendant's acquittal was a huge relief for his family.

The defence team's strategy secured a full acquittal on the most serious charges.
His acquittal on grounds of self-establishment set a significant legal precedent.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: ACQUITTAL sounds like 'a quit all' – as in the court says 'quit all charges' against the defendant.

Conceptual Metaphor

JUSTICE IS A SCALE; acquittal is the scale tipping to the side of innocence. FREEDOM IS REMOVAL OF BURDEN; acquittal is the removal of the burden of guilt.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with 'оправдание', which can also mean 'justification' or 'excuse' in a non-legal sense. 'Acquittal' is strictly a legal verdict.

Common Mistakes

Misspelling as 'aquittal' or 'acquital'.
Using it as a verb (the verb is 'acquit').
Confusing with 'appeal' or 'pardon'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The celebrity's high-profile trial ended in a surprising by the jury.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the closest antonym to 'acquittal'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Not exactly. An acquittal means the prosecution failed to prove guilt 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. It is a legal finding of 'not guilty', which is not a formal declaration of factual innocence.
: In most common law systems with double jeopardy protections (like the UK and US), a person cannot be retried for the same crime after a formal acquittal.
: A dismissal usually happens before a verdict, often due to procedural errors or lack of evidence. An acquittal is a verdict reached by a judge or jury after a full trial, stating the defendant is not guilty.
: No, an acquittal does not automatically erase the arrest or trial from official records. The person may need to apply to have the record expunged or sealed, depending on local laws.