Acquittal
A verdict finding a defendant not guilty of the criminal charges against them.
An acquittal means a court has found a person not guilty of a crime. This can happen after a trial when a jury or judge decides the prosecution did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. It can also happen if a judge decides there is not enough evidence to continue the case.
Once a person is acquitted, the government cannot try them again for the same crime. This protection is called “double jeopardy” and it comes from the U.S. Constitution.
Why it matters: An acquittal is the strongest outcome a defendant can receive in a criminal case. Unlike a dismissal, which can sometimes be refiled, an acquittal permanently ends the case. If you are acquitted, you may also be eligible to have the arrest and charge records expunged (sealed) from your record under Minnesota law.
Example: You are charged with theft and go to trial. The jury decides the prosecution did not prove you committed the crime. The judge enters a verdict of not guilty – that is your acquittal, and you cannot be charged with that same theft again.
Criminal cases, after a trial or when a judge dismisses charges for lack of evidence