The Difference Between A Not Guilty Verdict And An Acquittal

We’ve all watched Law & Order, Damages and other courtroom dramas. But watching it on TV and having your case go to trial are two different things. Hollywood casting and exaggerated scripts aside, what IS the difference between a Not Guilty verdict and an Acquittal?

The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda had this to say: if you’re found guilty of a charge, you are “convicted” and have to face the penalties imposed for the crime. If you are found “not guilty” of a criminal charge, you’re acquitted and your case is closed. So, in essence, a finding of Not Guilty is an acquittal.

But don’t think for a minute that a Not Guilty finding means you’re innocent of the charge. It just means that the prosecution wasn’t able to prove you were guilty.

The good news is, if you’re found Not Guilty you can’t be charged with the same crime again—unless the court that found you Not Guilty actually didn’t have the proper jurisdiction.

There’s a big difference between being found Guilty and Not Guilty. If you’re faced with a criminal charge, it’s important to find the best criminal attorney in San Antonio that you can. The law firm of Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda is known for its expertise, resources and tenaciousness on behalf of its clients, whether they’ve been charged with DWI, domestic violence, drug possession or even White Collar crime. Don’t settle for anything less.