criminalEnglish origin

Acquittal

A formal court finding that the accused is not guilty of the charged offence.

Full Definition

An acquittal is the legal finding that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. An acquitted person is fully protected by double jeopardy. In India, the state can appeal against acquittals.

In Indian Law

Sections 232-235 CrPC. In Chandrappa v. State of Karnataka (2007), the Supreme Court held appellate courts must be slow to interfere with acquittals � only if the lower court's view is perverse.

Quick Facts

LetterA
Categorycriminal
OriginEnglish