Is not guilty the same as innocent?
Asked by: Stanford Marquardt | Last update: May 23, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (16 votes)
Unlike the word guilty, the word innocent has no court verdict counterpart in American criminal law. "Innocent" is not one of the possible verdicts that a jury may return. A defendant who is not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt is found to be "Not Guilty."
Is being found not guilty the same as being found innocent?
When a defendant is found not guilty, it does not always mean that they are declared innocent. Instead, it means that the prosecution failed to present concrete evidence to meet its burden of proof.
Is it worth pleading not guilty?
By maintaining a not guilty plea, you assert your right to a fair trial and ensure that all aspects of your case are considered, ultimately contributing to a more just and balanced legal process.
Why does the jury say not guilty instead of innocent?
Because the jury finds whether they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. By finding them ``not guilty'' that's different from finding them ``innocent.'' The jury is saying ``the state has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt'' that the person was guilty.
Is a not guilty plea the same as a plea of innocent?
Pleading not guity means you wish the prosecutor to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Even a finding by either a judge or jury of not guity does NOT mean you are innocent….
Is Not Guilty The Same As Innocent?
Why would you plead not guilty?
Depending on your charges, a not guilty plea may enable your lawyer to begin negotiating down the charges. If you're going to be held in jail, your lawyer can do his best to see that any potential bond is set at the lowest possible level. This may enable you to avoid staying in jail, while the process moves forward.
What happens if you plead not guilty?
Not Guilty Plea
The defendant is informing the court that he or she denies guilt or has a defense in the case and that the state must prove what it has charged in the complaint. If you choose to plea "Not Guilty", you have a right to a jury trial, unless you waive that right and request a trial by judge.
What happens if I am found not guilty?
The phrase “not guilty” means that the defendant is not legally answerable for the crime. An acquittal is a finding by the jury or judge that the defendant is not guilty after a jury or a bench trial. Acquittals trigger your Double Jeopardy protection from another prosecution for the same offense.
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 does a not guilty verdict mean?
A not-guilty verdict in a criminal trial is a form of acquittal that says you are not legally answerable for the charges. The jury will render this verdict after a trial. As noted, it does not mean the court declared you innocent of the crime.
Do you go to jail if you plead not guilty?
There is no penalty for pleading not guilty. Your sentence will not be more severe or less severe based merely on how you plead.
Do most people plead guilty or not guilty?
More than 95 percent of all U.S. criminal charges are resolved by guilty pleas, not through trials, according to Wilford, whose work focuses on the human dynamics behind legal proceedings, including the reliability of eyewitnesses and the effectiveness of interview techniques used by law enforcement.
What happens if you refuse to plead guilty or not guilty?
A defendant may plead guilty, not guilty, or, with the consent of the court, nolo contendere. If the defendant refuses to plead, or if a defendant corporation fails to appear, the court must enter a plea of not guilty.
Does charge dropped mean innocent?
A dropped charge means the DA has decided not to proceed with the case against you for any of the abovementioned reasons. A dismissed charge means the judge has decided not to proceed with your case for various reasons, such as procedural errors, a lack of evidence, or violations of constitutional rights.
How to prove you are not guilty?
- Witness testimony: Have a reliable witness testify about where you were at the time the crime occurred.
- Security videos: Present traffic camera video footage, surveillance footage, or personal camera footage that shows you were someplace else when the crime occurred.
What is it called when a defendant is found not guilty?
Acquittal. A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
What happens when one juror says not guilty?
If even one member of the jury panel disagrees with the rest, the jury is hung, and the defendant retains the presumption of innocence.
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.
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.
Can I sue if I was found not guilty?
Yes. Dropped charges could make a malicious prosecution claim possible. But when a verdict was rendered, it may be more difficult to pursue a civil claim after the fact. Before a criminal case can proceed to the trial phase, the court must find probable cause.
Do you go to jail after being found guilty?
Your specific charge determines if you will go to jail after being convicted. Any charge that qualifies as a Class B misdemeanor or greater may result in jail time. You may face consequences beyond those assessed by the court.
What happens when someone says not guilty?
What happens if I plead not guilty? A not guilty plea is a denial of the charge and none of your constitutional rights are waived unless you expressly wish to do so. You are presumed innocent and the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at a subsequent trial.
Is it better to plead guilty or go to trial?
Potential for Reduced Penalties: Often, prosecutors will offer a reduced sentence if you plead guilty, especially in exchange for cooperating with their case or taking responsibility for your actions. If you are facing serious charges, a plea deal might be more appealing than risking a lengthy sentence at trial.
Why shouldn't you take a plea deal?
Critics argue that plea bargains can result in innocent people pleading guilty to avoid the risk of a harsher sentence at trial. There are also concerns about the consistency and fairness of plea deals, as well as the potential for prosecutorial overreach.
Is pleading not guilty a conviction?
Plea of Not Guilty: A plea of not guilty means you are informing the Court that you deny guilt or that you have a defense in your case and that the State must prove its charges against you. If you plead "not guilty" your case will be scheduled for the next available trial docket at your initial court appearance.