If a state court delivers an acquittal, a retrial within that same state is prohibited. However, “acquittal” and “not guilty” are often mistakenly used interchangeably in the field of criminal law. To clarify, a ‘not guilty’ verdict implies that the defendant is not legally responsible for the charges brought against them, whereas an ‘acquittal’ signifies a judge or jury’s determination that the defendant is not guilty of the accused crime.
It’s important to note that an acquittal doesn’t necessarily imply the defendant’s innocence in a criminal case. Instead, it indicates that the prosecution could not establish the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 if you are facing criminal charges and require a free legal consultation from an experienced attorney.
Acquittal vs Dismissal
An acquittal should not be confused with a dismissal. Dismissal takes place before a jury trial, usually because either the prosecutor deems the evidence insufficient to support the case, or the judge determines that the case lacks substantial support to proceed. In a dismissal, the case against the defendant is concluded, and they no longer have to face trial.
Implications of Double Jeopardy
Upon an acquittal by a judge or jury, double jeopardy comes into play, and the defendant has complete defense against additional prosecution for the same offense within the same jurisdiction.
Understanding the Distinction Between “Acquitted” and “Not Guilty”
In the criminal justice system, there’s a nuanced difference between “acquitted” and “not guilty.” The term “not guilty” indicates that a defendant is not legally liable for the specific crime, or a portion thereof. For instance, consider a person charged with domestic violence and rape. If the evidence to support the rape charge is inadequate, but the domestic violence charge can be substantiated, the defendant is not guilty of part of the charges.
“Acquitted,” on the other hand, means that after a bench or jury trial, the trial judge or jury found the defendant not guilty. A partial acquittal occurs when a defendant is found not guilty of one charge but guilty of another crime after a trial.
Innocence Clarified
Within the US legal system, an acquitted individual isn’t deemed “innocent” of a crime. It merely means that the prosecutor failed to prove, “beyond a reasonable doubt,” that the defendant committed the crime.
Comparing Criminal and Civil Cases
A person may be acquitted of a particular crime (such as DUI or offenses under state marijuana laws) but held liable for the same offense in a civil case due to the lower burden of proof in civil cases. This situation arose in the O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials.
Petitioning for a Dismissal
Furthermore, a criminal defense attorney can request the court to dismiss the case due to reasons such as:
- The arrest of the defendant without probable cause
- Certain errors in the criminal complaint or charging documents by the district attorney
- Unlawful search and seizure committed by the authorities
- Insufficient evidence to substantiate the charges in the case
The term “dismissal” is sometimes used interchangeably with having criminal charges “dropped.” When charges are “dropped,” the prosecutor decides to abandon the case due to insufficient evidence. Both in dismissal and dropping, the criminal case terminates, and the defendant isn’t tried for any offense(s).
Reduced Charges
It’s also important to remember that charge reduction is a separate matter. This occurs when the judge or prosecutor decides to indict the defendant for a minor offense. For instance, a prosecutor might choose to charge a defendant with a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
A reduction in charges may also result if the defendant agrees to a specific plea deal. For example, a prosecutor may decide to reduce a DUI charge to the lesser charge of reckless driving (not involving alcohol) if the defendant consents to plead guilty to the same. This arrangement is often referred to as a “dry reckless plea bargain.”
If you are facing criminal charges in Southern California, contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 now for a free legal consultation.
