exculpation
Clearing of charges
Exculpation is the act of clearing someone from blame or proving their innocence.
Where accusation assigns fault, exculpation removes it: The DNA evidence led to his exculpation.
The word appears most often in legal contexts, though it applies wherever someone is absolved of wrongdoing.
Official release from punishment
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- remissionTemporary disease absence
redemption · amnesty · grace · atonement · liberation · release · reprieve · freedom
Stated basis for action
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- explanationStatement making something clear
- vindicationClearance of blame
- mitigationReduction of severity
extenuation · grounds · basis · excuse · legitimization · substantiation · validation · warrant
Official court decision
- not guiltyCleared of charges
- juryLegal decision-making body
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
judge · dismissal · reprieve · pardon · clemency · appeal · testimony · evidence
Defense of location
- pleaFormal request or defense
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
self-defense · argument · mitigation · counterargument · denial · refutation · objection · attorney
Free of wrongdoing
- guiltlessNot at fault
- unblemishedFree from any defect
- untaintedFree from contamination
- cleanFree of soil
sinless · irreproachable · unimpeachable · wrongful accusation · false charge · mistaken identity · cleared · absolved
pardon
Official release from punishment
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
remission · redemption · amnesty · grace · atonement · liberation · release · reprieve · freedom · exoneration
rationale
Stated basis for action
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- explanationStatement making something clear
- vindicationClearance of blame
mitigation · extenuation · grounds · basis · excuse · legitimization · substantiation · validation · warrant · provocation
verdict
Official court decision
- not guiltyCleared of charges
- juryLegal decision-making body
- trialJudicial examination of claims
courtroom · judge · dismissal · reprieve · pardon · clemency · appeal · testimony · evidence · witness
alibi
Defense of location
- pleaFormal request or defense
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · self-defense · argument · mitigation · counterargument · denial · refutation · objection · attorney · lawyer
blameless
Free of wrongdoing
- guiltlessNot at fault
- unblemishedFree from any defect
- untaintedFree from contamination
clean · sinless · irreproachable · unimpeachable · wrongful accusation · false charge · mistaken identity · cleared · absolved · vindicated
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- justificationsjustification, rationale, reason, excuse, explanation
- clemencypardon, amnesty, clemency, reprieve, commutation
- legal appealslegal appeal, appeal process, appeals court, appeal courts, higher court
- indemnityhold harmless, reimbursement, exoneration, reparation, redress
exculpationconviction
Firmly held belief
condemnation · incrimination · inculpation · blame · guilt
exculpationaccusation
Claim someone did wrong
indictment · incrimination · inculpation · prosecution · arraignment