exculpatory
Clears the accused
Exculpatory describes evidence or statements that tend to clear someone of blame or guilt.
The term appears most often in legal contexts: exculpatory evidence, exculpatory testimony.
Prosecutors have a duty to disclose exculpatory material to the defense.
The opposite is inculpatory—tending to establish guilt.
Legal uncertainty requiring acquittal
- presumption of innocenceDefault legal blamelessness
- burden of proofDuty to prove allegations
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
- discoveryAct of finding something
defense attorney · cross-examination · acquittal · dismissal · not guilty · defense strategy · legal representation · attorney-client privilege
Defense of location
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- forensic analysisScientific examination for legal proceedings
- DNA evidenceBiological material proving identity
surveillance footage · documentation · records · proof · corroboration · exhibit · deposition · affidavit
Official clearing of blame
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- acquittanceRelease from financial obligation
- vindicationClearance of blame
clearing · discharge · release · freedom · liberation · relief · reprieve · redemption
Not at fault
- blamelessFree of wrongdoing
- clean handsFreedom from wrongdoing
- unblemishedFree from any defect
- unimpeachableBeyond criticism or doubt
irreproachable · faultless · above suspicion · mistaken identity · miscarriage of justice
reasonable doubt
Legal uncertainty requiring acquittal
- presumption of innocenceDefault legal blamelessness
- burden of proofDuty to prove allegations
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
discovery · defense attorney · cross-examination · acquittal · dismissal · not guilty · defense strategy · legal representation · attorney-client privilege · mitigating circumstances
alibi
Defense of location
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- forensic analysisScientific examination for legal proceedings
DNA evidence · surveillance footage · documentation · records · proof · corroboration · exhibit · deposition · affidavit · chain of custody
exoneration
Official clearing of blame
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- acquittanceRelease from financial obligation
vindication · clearing · discharge · release · freedom · liberation · relief · reprieve · redemption · deliverance
guiltless
Not at fault
- blamelessFree of wrongdoing
- clean handsFreedom from wrongdoing
- unblemishedFree from any defect
unimpeachable · irreproachable · faultless · above suspicion · mistaken identity · miscarriage of justice
- Criminal Defensedefense attorney, defense lawyer, defense strategy, defense team, defense witness
- evidenceevidence, evidence bag, circumstantial evidence, proof, admissible
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
exculpatoryincriminating
Proving guilt or wrongdoing
inculpatory · incriminatory · damning · condemning · accusatory
- exculpatory evidenceProof of innocence
culprit, culpable, culpability, exculpate, exculpation, inculpate, exculpated, inculpation, exculpates