be found not guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be found not guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to indicate that a person has been acquitted of a charge or accusation in a court of law. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the jury decided to acquit the defendant, and he was found not guilty of all charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

How can John Terry be found not guilty?

The Guardian - Sport

"When the dust settles, Mr. Pires will be found not guilty," he added.

The New York Times

If jurors agree it was self-defense, Mr. Zimmerman will be found not guilty.

The New York Times

Especially as a person charged is presumed innocent, and may be found not guilty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, he said that wherever the case was tried his client would be found not guilty.

The New York Times

Yet Rao would be found not guilty of murder, and acquitted.

The Guardian - Film

Both mother and daughter appeared convinced that Triana would be found not guilty.

The Guardian

Nearly all the kids assumed that Bertram Cates, the character based on Scopes, would be found not guilty.

The New Yorker

Libya had expected that the men would be found not guilty and thus that international sanctions would be lifted.

The New York Times

In Mr. Goldstein's first trial, the jury deadlocked over whether he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Source: PBS Frontline....white people who kill black people are far more likely to be found not-guilty even in states without SYG and black people who kill whites are less likely to be found not-guilty regardless of state law.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use “be found not guilty” to accurately describe the outcome when a defendant is acquitted. Avoid using “found innocent” as it implies a higher standard of proof than required in many legal systems.

Common error

Avoid using "found innocent" as a direct replacement for “be found not guilty”. A "not guilty" verdict means the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not necessarily that the person is definitively innocent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be found not guilty" functions as a passive construction indicating the outcome of a legal trial where a defendant is acquitted because the prosecution has not proven their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be found not guilty" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that serves to communicate a specific legal outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's crucial to distinguish it from "found innocent," as the former indicates a lack of sufficient evidence for conviction, while the latter implies a definitive declaration of innocence. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and other formal contexts, and alternative phrasings include "be acquitted of all charges" or "be cleared of wrongdoing". When using this phrase, be mindful of its specific legal connotation and avoid substituting it with terms that suggest a higher degree of certainty regarding innocence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be acquitted of all charges

Focuses specifically on the legal process of acquittal.

be cleared of wrongdoing

Emphasizes the removal of any suspicion or accusation of improper behavior.

be exonerated from the accusations

Highlights the vindication of the person from the allegations against them.

be declared innocent

Directly states the person's lack of guilt.

have the charges dropped

Indicates that the legal proceedings have been terminated, often due to insufficient evidence.

walk free from court

Illustrates the immediate consequence of a not guilty verdict: the individual is no longer detained.

get off scot-free

Implies that the person has avoided any punishment or negative consequences.

be vindicated in court

Focuses on the justice system's role in proving the person's innocence.

be found not liable

Specifically used in civil cases, indicating no legal responsibility.

escape conviction

Highlights the avoidance of a guilty verdict and subsequent punishment.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is "be found not guilty"?

When someone is "be found not guilty", it means that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. It doesn't necessarily mean the person is innocent, only that their guilt was not proven.

Is there a difference between "be found not guilty" and "be declared innocent"?

Yes, "be found not guilty" and "be declared innocent" are not exactly the same. "Be found not guilty" is a legal verdict meaning the prosecution failed to prove guilt, while "be declared innocent" implies an affirmative declaration of innocence, which is less common in legal proceedings. You can consider "be acquitted of all charges" as a valid alternative.

What are some alternatives to "be found not guilty"?

Alternatives to "be found not guilty" include "be acquitted of all charges", "be cleared of wrongdoing", or "have the charges dropped". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "be found not guilty" in a sentence?

You can use "be found not guilty" in a sentence like this: "After a lengthy trial, the defendant was be found not guilty of all charges." It describes the outcome of a legal case where the defendant is not proven guilty.