found not guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found not guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can generally be used when referring to the verdict of a court case. For example, "The accused was found not guilty of the charge of breaking and entering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fhimah is found not guilty.

Independent

He was found not guilty.

The New York Times - Sports

She was found not guilty.

The New York Times

He's found not guilty.

The New York Times

The girl was found not guilty.

The New Yorker

A fifth defendant was found not guilty.

The New York Times

Lieutenant Italiano was found not guilty.

The New York Times

Raymond Kwok was found not guilty.

Independent

He was later found not guilty.

The New York Times

Jill was found not guilty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was found not guilty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting legal outcomes, use "found not guilty" to clearly and accurately convey that a defendant was acquitted of the charges.

Common error

Avoid implying that a "not guilty" verdict definitively proves innocence. It signifies that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found not guilty" serves as a declarative statement in legal contexts. It announces the outcome of a trial, indicating that the defendant was not proven to have committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found not guilty" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as a formal announcement of a legal verdict, primarily in news and media contexts. While it's often used interchangeably with terms like "acquitted" or "exonerated", it's crucial to remember that "found not guilty" doesn't equate to a declaration of innocence; it simply means the prosecution couldn't prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When using the phrase, strive for clarity and ensure you're accurately representing the legal outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquitted

Single word that expresses that the person was declared not guilty.

exonerated

Suggests a formal clearing of blame or responsibility.

cleared of all charges

Emphasizes the dismissal of all accusations.

declared innocent

Highlights the proclamation of innocence.

not convicted

Focuses on the absence of a guilty verdict.

vindicated

Implies that the person's innocence has been proven after doubt.

absolved of guilt

Formally releases someone from blame.

charges were dropped

Indicates that the prosecution was discontinued.

the case was dismissed

Refers to the termination of the legal proceedings.

the jury returned a not guilty verdict

Specifically describes the jury's decision.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "found not guilty"?

To be "found not guilty" means that a court has determined that the prosecution has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime they were accused of. It does not necessarily mean the person is innocent, but rather that the evidence was insufficient for a conviction.

What's the difference between "found not guilty" and "found innocent"?

"Found not guilty" means the prosecution couldn't prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. "Found innocent", while similar, isn't a standard legal term. It implies a definitive declaration of innocence, which courts rarely provide.

How to use "found not guilty" in a sentence?

You can use "found not guilty" in sentences like: "The defendant was found not guilty of all charges", or "Despite the evidence, the jury found her not guilty".

What can I say instead of "found not guilty"?

Alternatives include "acquitted", "exonerated", or "cleared of all charges". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.