Can you be tried again if you are found not guilty?

Asked by: Nels Johns  |  Last update: September 25, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (58 votes)

Retrial after acquittal. Once acquitted, a defendant may not be retried for the same offense: "A verdict of acquittal, although not followed by any judgment, is a bar to a subsequent prosecution for the same offense." This applies in all cases where a verdict of not guilty is entered by the Court against a defendant.

Can a case be reopened after being found not guilty?

No, a defendant cannot be tried again by the same jurisdiction once found not guilty in a trial. Period, full stop. It doesn't matter if they confess, or if DNA turns up, or video suddenly appears showing the defendant committing the crime.

Can someone be retried if they are found not guilty?

A defendant whose conviction was reversed on appeal may be retried without violating double jeopardy. However, any charge of which the defendant was found not guilty the first time cannot be retried.

Can you be found guilty after being found not guilty?

If you are acquitted of certain charges but found guilty of others, you cannot be retried for the charges where you were found not guilty due to the double jeopardy protections.

When can a case not be tried again?

If a defendant is acquitted, whether by a jury verdict or a judge's ruling, the protection against double jeopardy is fully realized. The government cannot appeal an acquittal or subject the defendant to a new trial for the same offense.

You're supposed to plead NOT GUILTY (even if you did it).

42 related questions found

Can a person be tried again with new evidence?

After-discovered evidence, or newly discovered evidence, is evidence which existed at the time of the original trial but was only discovered after the conclusion of the trial. After-discovered evidence is an issue predominantly in criminal proceedings and may be used as the basis for a motion for a new trial .

Can a judge overturn a not-guilty verdict?

The judge may grant a judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) if it appears there is no issue of material fact for a jury to decide. A judge can deliver both these judgments, but they can't set aside an acquittal in a criminal case. Once a jury has rendered a not-guilty verdict, the judge can't overturn it.

What happens when you are found not guilty in court?

A finding that you are not guilty of the offense means that you cannot be punished for it. Note that it does not necessarily mean that you are actually innocent of the offense. You can be found not guilty of the offense in several different ways, one of which is to get acquitted after trial.

Do you need evidence to be found guilty?

Further, California criminal law allows the prosecution to convict a defendant on circumstantial evidence alone. If direct evidence were always necessary for a conviction, a crime would need a direct eyewitness, or the guilty party would avoid criminal responsibility.

What are the chances of being found not guilty?

​As most cases do not go to trial, convictions were the result in 42 percent of total criminal cases, whereas acquittals were only 0.2 percent of the total.

Can you sue if found not guilty?

If a prosecutor files such a case and the charges are dismissed, the defendant can sue for malicious prosecution and seek financial damages. The law that allows a malicious prosecution suit is aimed at preventing and addressing abuse of the legal process.

How many times can a case be retried?

How many times can a defendant be retried? For those facing hung jury retrials, it's as many times as the government pleases. Double jeopardy prohibitions do not apply when juries fail to reach a verdict. There is, theoretically, a built-in procedural solution to stop the government from endlessly retrying defendants.

What are the two exceptions to double jeopardy?

Double jeopardy does not prevent multiple charges for the same crime from different jurisdictions. If a crime violated the laws of multiple states, then each state may press charges. Likewise, if a crime violated both state and federal law, then it would be allowable to have two criminal suits for the same crime.

What causes a case to open again?

Reopening settled cases can occur when significant new evidence comes to light that wasn't available before. Sometimes, this might mean holding other parties liable, which can aid the victim in their financial recovery. This can occur in a car accident, for example.

What happens after being found guilty?

After a defendant is found guilty at trial, or after a defendant pleads guilty (see section on entering and accepting a pleas), he must be sentenced. The court may sentence the offender right away or may decide to have a separate hearing, so that a pre-sentence report can be prepared.

Can you be tried for the same crime twice if new evidence is found in the UK?

The rule against double jeopardy is only lifted once in respect of each qualifying offence: even if there is a subsequent discovery of new evidence, the prosecution may not apply for an order quashing the acquittal and seeking a retrial section 75(3).

What evidence is not allowed in court?

If the evidence does not meet standards of relevance, the privilege or public policy exists, the qualification of witnesses or the authentication of evidence is at issue, or the evidence is unlawfully gathered, then it is inadmissible.

What 3 things must evidence be to be used in court?

In order to be admissible, evidence must:
  • Be authentic.
  • Be in good condition.
  • Be able to withstand scrutiny of its collection and preservation procedures.
  • Be presented into the courtroom in specific ways.

What is the strongest form of evidence against a defendant?

Direct evidence carries significant weight in a trial as it leaves little room for doubt or interpretation. It provides a strong basis for establishing the guilt of a defendant and can significantly impact the outcome of a case.

Is it better to plead guilty or not guilty?

By maintaining a not guilty plea, you retain the leverage needed to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement. This could result in lesser charges, reduced sentences, or alternative sentencing options that might not be available if you initially plead guilty.

Can you go to jail for pleading not guilty?

If you plead not guilty you will have a pretrial conference to try to settle your case. There is no penalty for pleading not guilty. Your sentence will not be more severe or less severe based merely on how you plead.

Does a not guilty case go on your record?

A not guilty verdict does appear on your criminal record. It's right there with your original arrest and the charges the state levied against you. And even though you're not guilty of committing the crime, you have a criminal record – unless you choose to do something about it.

Can a not guilty verdict be reversed?

A prosecutor cannot appeal a not-guilty verdict. Not in California and not anywhere else within the United States. The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution contains the Double Jeopardy clause.

How is a not guilty verdict reached?

The jurors meet in private and discuss the case and vote guilty or not guilty. This is called deliberations. To reach a final decision (a verdict), the jury must all agree that a person is guilty or not guilty of each charge. If they vote not guilty, the person is acquitted and can't be tried again.

Can a judge reject a not guilty verdict?

Jury verdicts are statements of the community. Therefore they are given great respect. Furthermore in a criminal case, a judge cannot overturn a verdict of not guilty as that would violate a defendant's 5th amendment right. To overturn a guilty verdict there must be clear evidence that offers reasonable doubt.