![]() Why did this case generate so much national attention? The Casey Anthony verdict received more Tweets than last season’s Super Bowl. This means someone who has been acquitted may still be treated by our legal system and society at large as though she most likely committed the crime. Jurors may believe that a defendant is probably guilty and still acquit because they have been instructed to convict only if they are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. In our system, an acquittal is not an exoneration - it simply means that the state has failed to persuade jurors of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In high-profile cases, how do defendants who are charged, and then acquitted of capital murder, go about living so-called “normal” lives? Since Casey Anthony was not convicted of a capital crime, such a proceeding will never be held. The prosecutor’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt is no greater in a death penalty case than in any other homicide prosecution there is a separate proceeding following a guilty verdict to determine if a defendant should die. News reports indicate that the case against Casey Anthony was entirely circumstantial - there were no witnesses who testified that they observed her commit or cover up the crime - and the prosecution may not have had enough evidence to persuade the jury that it was Casey and not someone else who committed the crime. There is no way to know why a jury acts as it does, since jurors are not required to explain their verdicts. Why did jurors find Casey Anthony not guilty of murdering her daughter? What must prosecutors prove in cases in which the defendant faces the death penalty?Ī prosecutor needs to persuade the jury of a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We asked Northeastern University law school professor Daniel Givelber, whose scholarship focuses on criminal law, criminal procedure and capital punishment, to assess the controversial verdict. Call Puglisi Law at 30 to schedule a consultation and discuss your federal or state criminal defense needs.On Tuesday, 25-year-old Casey Anthony was acquitted of killing her two-year-old daughter in a capital murder case that captivated national audiences for some three years. If you or a loved one is charged with a crime, it is important that you understand all the possible outcomes. The criminal process can, often times, be confusing. While they would face penalties for assault and battery, they would not have to face the much higher penalties for manslaughter. They may be found guilty of domestic violence charges but be acquitted of manslaughter charges. They may face charges related to assault and battery, as well as manslaughter charges. For example, consider a defendant accused of committing domestic abuse against a victim who later died. If a defendant is charged with multiple crimes, a partial acquittal is possible. For example, a person who shoots and kills someone who enters their property to commit a crime, while not innocent of the shooting, can be found not guilty based upon self-defense and defense of property. It simply means that the prosecution either did not have enough evidence to support their charges or that they did not present their evidence in a compelling enough way to convince the jury. Being found not guilty of a crime or being acquitted does not mean that the court or jury believes you are innocent of the crime. not guilty” is the difference between being innocent and a verdict of not guilty. “Not Guilty” is Not the Same as “Innocent”Ī common misconception related to the discussion of “acquittal vs. To try you for the crime a second time would run afoul of your constitutional protection from double jeopardy. When you are acquitted of a crime, the prosecution generally cannot appeal this decision. While this isn’t a verdict of not guilty, it does lead to acquittal. An acquittal can come about if an appeals court or trial judge determines that there is insufficient evidence to proceed. While being found not guilty is an acquittal, there are other reasons that a court may acquit. An acquittal is a decision that the defendant is absolved of the charges of which they’re accused. “Not guilty” means that the court does not have enough evidence to believe that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A verdict of “not guilty” is an acquittal. ![]() ![]() One question that commonly arises in criminal cases is, “What’s the difference between acquittal and being found not guilty?”Īcquittal and not guilty are two terms that are often used interchangeably in legal settings. Many legal terms are similar or even interchangeable, and it’s crucial to consider the consequences of every possible verdict. Criminal law is a complex topic, especially when you’re considering your options as the defendant in a criminal case.
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