a finding of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a finding of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a determination made by a judge or jury that a defendant is guilty of a crime. Example: "The jury returned a finding of guilt after deliberating for several hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Few who do report pursue a complaint, and few complaints result in a finding of guilt.

The New York Times

"It is not a finding of guilt or an admission of wrongdoing," Mr. Conway said.

The New York Times

"Omar Khadr still faces a process that is tainted, and designed to make a finding of guilt," he said.

The New York Times

The tribunal said earlier that Ieng Thirith's release did not mean the charges against her were being withdrawn and was not a finding of guilt or innocence.

The Guardian

"If he didn't attack the mistaken identification, there was nothing for the jury to do but come back with a finding of guilt".

The New York Times

In that process, an individual or a few members of the committee are charged with resolving the issue, without a full investigation or a finding of guilt or innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Sixth, not all socially authorized deprivations count as punishments; the only deprivations inflicted on a person that count are those imposed in consequence of a finding of criminal guilt (rather than guilt only of a tort or a contract violation, or being subject to a licensing charge or to a tax).

SEP

The investigation was terminated without any finding of guilt or innocence; it did not clear him.

The New York Times

"Harper MacLeod have acted for Celtic FC, who would be the main beneficiaries of any finding of guilt," they state.

BBC

The word is a kind of triggering device, he said, having nothing to do with a formal finding of guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

One of those church officials noted that under the zero-tolerance policy, a priest could be removed from ministry -- although not necessarily the priesthood -- on the basis of a credible accusation, not an actual finding of guilt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a finding of guilt" when you want to emphasize the legal or official aspect of a guilt determination, especially in news reports or legal documents.

Common error

Avoid using "a finding of guilt" interchangeably with an "allegation". An allegation is merely an accusation, while a finding of guilt signifies a formal determination by a legal authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a finding of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, specifically referring to the formal declaration or determination that someone is culpable of an offense. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is most commonly encountered within legal and news-related contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a finding of guilt" is a noun phrase indicating a formal determination of culpability, predominantly used in legal and news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to objectively convey the outcome of a legal process. While less frequent than simpler terms like "conviction", the phrase's formal tone makes it suitable for legal documents, news reports, and academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a formal determination, not merely an accusation or allegation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a determination of guilt

Replaces "finding" with "determination", emphasizing the act of deciding guilt.

a conclusion of guilt

Substitutes "finding" with "conclusion", focusing on the result of an evaluation of guilt.

a judgment of guilt

Uses "judgment" instead of "finding", highlighting the legal declaration of guilt.

a conviction

A more concise term that implies "a finding of guilt" by a court.

a guilty verdict

Specifies the type of finding as a "verdict", generally by a jury.

an adjudication of guilt

Replaces "finding" with "adjudication", indicating a formal legal ruling.

establishment of guilt

Focuses on the act of proving or confirming guilt, rather than just finding it.

pronouncement of guilt

Emphasizes the formal declaration of guilt, typically by a judge.

declaration of guilt

Emphasizes the act of formally stating that someone is guilty.

ascertainment of guilt

Highlights the process of determining guilt through investigation or inquiry.

FAQs

What does "a finding of guilt" mean in a legal context?

In law, "a finding of guilt" signifies a formal determination by a court or other legal body that a defendant is responsible for committing a crime or offense. It represents a conclusion based on evidence presented during a trial or hearing.

How to use "a finding of guilt" in a sentence?

You might use it like this: "The jury's "guilty verdict" resulted in a finding of guilt and the defendant's subsequent sentencing."

What are some alternatives to "a finding of guilt"?

Alternatives include "determination of guilt", ""guilty verdict"", or simply "conviction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a finding of guilt" and "an accusation"?

"An accusation" is simply a claim that someone has committed a wrong act. "A finding of guilt", on the other hand, is a formal declaration by a legal authority after reviewing evidence that the person is responsible.