​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Not Guilty


Not guilty has two principal meanings in criminal law.


First, it is the plea entered by an accused person denying the criminal charges brought against them.


A defendant may plead guilty to some charges while pleading not guilty to others.


Second, “not guilty” is the verdict delivered when a court or jury determines that the prosecution has failed to prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt.


A verdict of not guilty results in an acquittal of the accused person.