Legal Definitions - not guilty

Definition: Not guilty is a term used in criminal cases. It can refer to either a plea or a verdict. When a defendant pleads not guilty, they are saying that they did not commit the crime they are accused of. This means that they will go to trial and the prosecution will have to prove that they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If the fact finder (usually a jury) finds the defendant not guilty, it means that the prosecution did not meet their burden of proof.

For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car and they plead not guilty, they are saying that they did not steal the car. At trial, the prosecution will have to present evidence to prove that the defendant did steal the car. If the jury finds the defendant not guilty, it means that the prosecution did not prove their case.

It's important to note that a not guilty verdict does not necessarily mean that the defendant is innocent. It just means that the prosecution did not prove their case. For example, if there is not enough evidence to prove that the defendant stole the car, they may be found not guilty even if they actually did steal it.