B2 verb Formal #15,000 mais comum 4 min de leitura

acquittal

/əkˈwɪtəl/

An acquittal is a legal verdict of not guilty, meaning the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Palavra em 30 segundos

Formal legal judgment of not guilty.
Prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Different from proving innocence; means guilt wasn't proven.
Primarily used in formal legal and media contexts.

Overview

The term 'acquittal' is a cornerstone of legal proceedings, referring specifically to the formal judgment that a defendant is not guilty of the crime they were charged with. It's crucial to understand that an acquittal doesn't necessarily mean the person is innocent in an absolute sense; rather, it means the prosecution did not meet the high burden of proof required in criminal law – proving guilt 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. This distinction is vital: a 'not guilty' verdict is not an affirmation of innocence, but a failure of the prosecution's case.

Nuances and connotations surrounding acquittal are significant. It carries a strong sense of relief and vindication for the accused, marking the end of a potentially lengthy and stressful legal battle. However, it can also be met with frustration or anger from victims and their families, especially if they strongly believed in the defendant's guilt. The connotation is heavily dependent on the perspective of the observer. From a legal standpoint, it represents the proper functioning of the justice system, ensuring that individuals are not convicted without sufficient evidence.

Usage Patterns

'Acquittal' is predominantly used in formal contexts, particularly within legal discussions, news reporting on court cases, and academic studies of law. In spoken English, it's most likely to appear in conversations about crime, justice, or specific high-profile trials. While it's not a word commonly used in casual, everyday chat about non-legal matters, its meaning is widely understood due to its prevalence in media. Regional variations are minimal; the legal definition and usage are fairly standard across English-speaking countries. However, the process leading to an acquittal, such as jury deliberations or bench trials, might have slight procedural differences.

Common Contexts

The word 'acquittal' is most frequently encountered in the context of criminal court proceedings. This includes discussions of trials, verdicts, and sentencing. It appears in news articles detailing the outcomes of criminal cases, documentaries exploring wrongful convictions or the justice system, and legal dramas on television and in film. In academic settings, it's a key term in criminal law, jurisprudence, and criminology courses. In everyday life, people might discuss an acquittal if a friend or acquaintance has been through a trial, or when following a sensational court case in the media.

Comparison with Similar Words:

Discharge: While sometimes used interchangeably in broader senses, 'discharge' can refer to the release of a defendant for reasons other than a finding of not guilty (e.g., administrative reasons, insufficient evidence to proceed). An acquittal is a specific verdict of not guilty.

Exoneration: This implies a stronger declaration of innocence, often based on new evidence proving the person could not have committed the crime (e.g., DNA evidence). An acquittal simply means guilt wasn't proven.

Vindication: This is a more general term meaning the clearing of someone's name or reputation. An acquittal can lead to vindication, but vindication can also be achieved outside the legal system.

Register & Tone

'Acquittal' is a formal term. Using it in highly informal settings or casual conversation might sound overly serious or out of place unless discussing a specific legal event. Its tone is objective and legalistic. It should be used when accuracy and formality are required, such as in written reports, news, or precise legal discussions. Avoid using it in lighthearted banter or when a more general term like 'getting off the hook' might suffice.

Common Collocations Explained:

Full acquittal: This emphasizes that the defendant was cleared of all charges, not just some.

Partial acquittal: The defendant was found not guilty of some charges but guilty of others.

Jury acquittal: Specifies that the decision was made by a jury.

Acquittal by reason of insanity: A legal finding that the defendant was not criminally responsible due to a mental state at the time of the offense.

Unanimous acquittal: The jury reached a unanimous decision of not guilty.

Unexpected acquittal: Highlights that the outcome surprised observers.

Exemplos

The jury's surprise acquittal of the celebrity sent shockwaves through the media.

media

The jury's surprising decision that the celebrity was not guilty caused a major stir in the news.

After a lengthy trial, he was granted a full acquittal on all charges.

formal

Following a long court case, he was officially declared not guilty of every accusation.

The defense argued that the lack of conclusive evidence warranted an acquittal.

academic

The lawyers for the defense claimed that insufficient proof should lead to a not guilty verdict.

She hoped for a swift acquittal to put the ordeal behind her.

everyday

She was hoping for a quick resolution where she'd be found not guilty, so she could move past the difficult experience.

The company announced the acquittal of its CEO, leading to a rise in stock prices.

business

The corporation stated that its chief executive officer had been found not guilty, which caused the company's shares to increase in value.

He felt a huge sense of relief following his acquittal.

informal

He felt incredibly relieved after being found not guilty.

The novel's climax involves a dramatic courtroom scene culminating in an unexpected acquittal.

literary

The most exciting part of the book is a courtroom scene that ends with a surprising not guilty verdict.

Despite public opinion, the legal system must rely on evidence for an acquittal.

formal

Even if people think someone is guilty, the justice system must base its 'not guilty' decisions on factual evidence.

Sinônimos

exoneration vindication absolution discharge clearance

Antônimos

conviction condemnation guilt

Colocações comuns

jury acquittal A verdict of not guilty delivered by a jury.

full acquittal Being found not guilty of all charges.

partial acquittal Being found not guilty of some charges but guilty of others.

unexpected acquittal A not guilty verdict that surprises people.

acquittal rate The percentage of cases resulting in an acquittal.

acquittal by jury The act of a jury finding someone not guilty.

seek acquittal To try to achieve a not guilty verdict.

grant acquittal For a court or judge to declare someone not guilty.

Frases Comuns

acquittal by jury

The decision of 'not guilty' made by a group of jurors.

acquittal on grounds of insanity

A legal finding that the person was not responsible for their actions due to mental illness at the time of the crime.

acquittal rate

The statistical percentage of defendants found not guilty in a given period or jurisdiction.

Frequentemente confundido com

acquittal vs Discharge

A discharge can happen for various reasons, not just a finding of not guilty. An acquittal is specifically a verdict of 'not guilty'.

acquittal vs Exoneration

Exoneration implies proof of innocence, often with new evidence. Acquittal means guilt wasn't proven, but doesn't necessarily prove innocence.

acquittal vs Conviction

This is the direct opposite of an acquittal. A conviction means the defendant was found guilty.

Padrões gramaticais

Subject + receive/gain/obtain + an acquittal The jury/judge + returned/delivered/granted + an acquittal Acquittal + on/of + charge(s) Full/partial + acquittal An acquittal + for/of + crime To + seek/hope for/secure + an acquittal

How to Use It

Notas de uso

Acquittal is a formal legal term and should primarily be used in discussions related to the justice system, court cases, or legal studies. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless referring to a specific news event. While understood by most native speakers due to media exposure, its precise legal meaning (failure to prove guilt) is important. In British English, 'not guilty' is often preferred in spoken contexts over the noun 'acquittal'.

Erros comuns

Learners sometimes confuse acquittal with proof of innocence. Remember, an acquittal means the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof, not that the defendant was definitively proven innocent. Another mistake is using it informally; phrases like 'got off scot-free' are informal equivalents, while 'acquittal' maintains a formal register.

Tips

💡

Focus on the legal meaning

Remember that acquittal means guilt wasn't proven legally, not necessarily that the person is innocent. This distinction is key in legal contexts.

⚠️

Avoid informal replacements

Don't use 'acquittal' casually. Phrases like 'got away with it' or 'was let off' are informal alternatives, while 'acquittal' is formal and specific.

🌍

Media portrayal

TV shows and movies often dramatize acquittals. Be aware that real-life legal proceedings are typically more procedural and less sensational than often depicted.

🎓

Distinguish from exoneration

Advanced learners should note that 'exoneration' implies proof of innocence (e.g., DNA), whereas 'acquittal' is a failure of the prosecution's case.

Origem da palavra

The word 'acquittal' comes from the Old French 'aquiter', meaning 'to free, release, or pay off'. It evolved into Middle English 'acquit' (to free from an obligation or charge) and eventually the noun 'acquittal', signifying the act of being freed from a legal accusation.

Contexto cultural

The concept of acquittal is central to the idea of 'innocent until proven guilty' in many Western legal systems. High-profile acquittals often spark public debate about justice, fairness, and the effectiveness of the legal process. Media coverage of trials frequently focuses on the drama leading up to the verdict, making acquittals significant cultural moments.

Dica de memorização

Imagine a 'quit' sign (like 'stop') appearing for the prosecution's case – they have to 'quit' trying to prove guilt, leading to an 'ac-QUIT-tal'. The 'ac-' prefix hints at the formal court action.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

An acquittal means the court found the prosecution didn't prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn't automatically mean the person is factually innocent, just that their guilt wasn't legally established.

Yes, legally speaking. An acquittal is about the prosecution's failure to meet the burden of proof, not necessarily about the defendant's absolute innocence. There might be lingering doubts about their involvement.

Generally, the charges are dropped, and the defendant is free to go. They cannot be tried again for the same crime under the principle of double jeopardy.

The term 'acquittal' is almost exclusively used in criminal law. In civil cases, the defendant is found 'not liable' rather than 'not guilty'.

A hung jury means the jury couldn't reach a unanimous decision. This does not result in an acquittal; the prosecution may decide to retry the case.

No, 'acquittal' is a formal legal term. While people understand it, it's not typically used in casual chat unless discussing a specific court case.

The opposite of an acquittal is a conviction, where the defendant is found guilty of the crime.

Yes, a judge can grant an acquittal in two main ways: through a 'bench trial' where the judge acts as the fact-finder, or by ruling that the prosecution hasn't presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to the jury (a directed verdict).

This signifies that the defendant faced multiple accusations, and the court found them not guilty for every single one of them.

An acquittal means the person is not convicted of that specific crime. It should not appear as a conviction on their criminal record, though the arrest and trial details might still be recorded.

Teste-se

fill blank

Despite the strong evidence presented, the jury returned a verdict of ____.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: acquittal

The sentence implies a 'not guilty' outcome, contrasting with 'strong evidence'. 'Acquittal' specifically means a not guilty verdict.

multiple choice

What does 'acquittal' mean?

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: A finding that the defendant is not guilty.

This option accurately defines acquittal as a legal judgment of not guilty.

sentence building

received / acquittal / after / trial / he

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: he received acquittal after trial

This order creates a standard Subject-Verb-Object structure, fitting the context of a legal outcome.

error correction

The lawyer was confident about the defendant's acquittal, even though the evidence was weak.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa: The lawyer was confident about the defendant's acquittal, even though the evidence was weak.

There is no error in this sentence. It correctly uses 'acquittal' to refer to a not guilty verdict, with the clause explaining the lawyer's confidence despite weak evidence.

Pontuação: /4

Summary