Legal Definitions - acquit

Definition: To acquit means to set free, release, or discharge from an obligation, burden, or accusation. In a criminal trial, it is what a jury or judge does at the end of the trial if they find the accused defendant not guilty of the crime.

• The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges.
• The judge acquitted the defendant due to lack of evidence.

These examples illustrate how acquit is used in a legal context. When a jury or judge acquits a defendant, it means they have found them not guilty of the crime they were accused of. This can happen if there is not enough evidence to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.