acquitting
Finding not guilty
Acquitting is the present participle of acquit, which most commonly means to declare someone not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
A jury acquits a defendant when it finds the prosecution has not proven its case: The jury deliberated for three days before acquitting him of all charges.
Acquit also means to conduct oneself in a particular way: She acquitted herself admirably under pressure.
This older sense suggests performing or discharging a duty.
Official court decision
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- juryLegal decision-making body
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- judgeOne who decides
not guilty · defense · plea · testimony · evidence · prosecution · deliberation · cross-examination
Release from guilt
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- exculpateClear of blame
- vindicateClear of wrongdoing
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
blameless · innocent · absolution · clearing · unimpeachable · irreproachable · faultless · inculpable
Official release from punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- reprievePostponement of punishment
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- paroleConditional early release
probation · liberation · freedom · discharge · remission · commutation · time served · early release
Reason proving rightness
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
- rectificationAct of setting straight
honor · dignity · integrity · restoration · truth · fairness · righteousness · good name
verdict
Official court decision
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- juryLegal decision-making body
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
judge · not guilty · defense · plea · testimony · evidence · prosecution · deliberation · cross-examination · witness
absolve
Release from guilt
exonerate · blameless · innocent · absolution · clearing · unimpeachable · irreproachable · faultless · inculpable · guiltless
pardon
Official release from punishment
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- reprievePostponement of punishment
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
parole · probation · liberation · freedom · discharge · remission · commutation · time served · early release · conditional release
justification
Reason proving rightness
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
rectification · honor · dignity · integrity · restoration · truth · fairness · righteousness · good name · moral victory
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- Excusingjustifying, forgiving, pardoning, condoning, rationalizing
acquittingconvicting
Formally declaring guilt
condemning · sentencing · indicting · prosecuting · charging
acquittingcondemning
Expressing severe disapproval
blaming · censuring · incriminating · faulting · implicating
acquittingfailing
Flaw in one's nature
neglecting · shirking · defaulting · falling short · botching