![]() What the difference between "innocent" and "not guilty" means Instead, it means that the evidence was not strong enough for a guilty verdict. For example, this can be done by presenting witnesses who claim the defendant was with them at a different location when the crime occurred.īeing found "not guilty" doesn't necessarily mean you are innocent. However, it still remains a part of our country's justice system that you do not need to be proven innocent in order to be declared "not guilty." What is "not guilty"?Īs mentioned before, the prosecution has to prove that a defendant committed a crime "beyond a reasonable doubt." This clause means that even if the jury largely thinks that a defendant committed a crime, they must not have any doubt about it.ĭoubt can be inserted into a case by the defense calling the prosecution's case into question. In some cases, evidence will arise that proves actual innocence programs like The Actual Innocence Claim Policy and Protocol in Missouri endeavor to minimize false convictions by providing evidence that proves innocence. The prosecution's job is to convince the jury that the defendant is guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt." Going the extra step of proving actual innocence is not required in order to avoid conviction. By the end of a criminal trial, you will either be declared "guilty" or "not guilty." Technically, the court never declares someone "innocent" because it is not necessary to prove actual innocence in order to be acquitted. ![]() When you've been charged of a crime, you are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, the court does not pronounce someone as “innocent” but rather “not guilty”. Not guilty means that the prosecution could not prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that a person committed the crime. In short, "not guilty" is not the same as "innocent." Innocent means that a person did not commit the crime. What's the difference between "innocent" and "not guilty"? It is very important that you take a step back so you can take a look at the differences between innocent and not guilty. When you are going through a criminal case, you might be just as excited to think about a not guilty verdict as you are to think of proving your innocence.
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