What's another word for not guilty in court?
Asked by: Eunice Gibson II | Last update: July 8, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (24 votes)
The most common legal term for "not guilty" in court is acquitted, which refers to a verdict where the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Other terms used include cleared, exonerated, or absolved.
What is another word for not guilty?
Another word for not guilty is innocent, acquitted, or blameless. In legal contexts, it often means someone has been exonerated or found in the clear.
What is the legal term for not guilty?
"Not guilty" is a legal term representing either a defendant's plea denying criminal charges at arraignment, or a verdict indicating the prosecution failed to prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt". It does not necessarily mean "innocent," but rather that evidence was insufficient to convict. A not guilty verdict results in an acquittal, protecting the defendant from retrial for that same crime.
What can I say instead of guilty?
Synonyms of guilty
- ashamed.
- embarrassed.
- apologetic.
- sorry.
- shamefaced.
- shamed.
- remorseful.
- blushing.
What are the four types of guilt?
Some types of guilt include interpersonal guilt, survivor's guilt, parental guilt, existential guilt, and excessive guilt.
What Does "Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity" Mean?
What is a stronger word than guilt?
For a more intense, visceral feeling than guilt, the most direct and precise words are remorse, contrition, or self-condemnation.
What is the legal term for not admitting guilt?
Nolo contendere, a Latin term meaning "no contest," refers to a legal plea in which a defendant does not dispute the charges against them but also does not admit guilt.
What is the word for a not guilty verdict?
A verdict of not guilty constitutes an acquittal. In other words, to find a defendant not guilty is to acquit. At trial, an acquittal occurs when the jury (or the judge if it's a judge trial) determines that the prosecution hasn't proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
What is a word for no guilt?
Depending on your context, the best synonyms for guilt-free include blameless, innocent, or clear. If you are describing an action that causes no psychological regret, unburdened or worry-free fit well.
What happens when you say "not guilty" in court?
By pleading not guilty, the defendant exercises their right to a trial, during which the prosecution must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the jury or judge finds the defendant not guilty, they are acquitted of the charges, and the case is closed.
What is a 6 letter word for not guilty?
This answer would generally be this word: Acquit. A C Q U I T (6 letters).
What is the opposite of guilty in court?
The direct opposite of guilty in a court setting is not guilty. While "innocent" is the common term, the legal system specifically uses "not guilty" to indicate that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, rather than explicitly proving total innocence.
What is the word for not guilty in court?
Acquittal. A judgment from the court resulting from a finding of not guilty. Following an acquittal, the accused is free to go without restrictions.
What are 5 strong synonyms?
Five strong synonyms for "strong" include powerful, robust, sturdy, vigorous, and potent. These words suggest great physical strength, durable construction, or intense influence/effect.
Is there a word "unguilty"?
Yes, unguilty is a word, defined as an adjective meaning "not guilty" or "innocent". While it has roots in Old English and is listed in dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford, it is often considered archaic or rare, frequently replaced in modern usage by "innocent," "guiltless," or "not guilty".
What is another name for not guilty?
The best synonyms for "not guilty" depend on the context.
What should you never say to a judge?
“I'm going to appeal!” This can be interpreted as a threat, which is audaciously unwise, and very unlikely to make the judge change his or her order. Moreover, if the case requires the judge to exercise his or her discretion to determine the credibility of one party versus another, such a ruling is not appealable.
What is another term for when a defendant is found not guilty?
The most common term for when a defendant is found not guilty is acquitted (or acquittal for the judgment). This means the court or jury has determined that the prosecution failed to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, officially releasing them from the criminal charge.
What is the hardest case to win in court?
Treason is generally considered the hardest criminal charge to prove, while medical malpractice is widely viewed as the most difficult type of civil case to win. Both face unique legal or evidential hurdles that set them apart from standard litigation.
What is it called when someone never admits to being wrong?
A person who never accepts their mistakes is often called a narcissist, a blameshifter, or an obstinate person. Because the exact term depends on the root cause of the behavior, here are the most fitting terms categorized by what drives them:
What is a fancy word for guilt?
Find synonyms, related terms, and descriptive phrases for "guilt". Browse comprehensive word lists sorted by nuance to find the exact term you need, whether you are describing moral responsibility, personal remorse, or blameworthiness.
What are 5 good synonyms?
Here are 5 highly versatile synonyms for "good," tailored for different contexts:
What does "not guilty" actually mean?
A defendant can make a not guilty plea which means the defendant denies committing the accused crime or one of the facets of the crime. By pleading not guilty, the defendant will actually go to trial and force the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt every part of the offense.