The term "not guilty" is spelled exactly as it sounds in English. The "n" sound at the beginning is followed by the "ah" sound, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /ɑː/. This is followed by the "t" sound, and then the "g" sound, represented as /ɡ/. Lastly, the ending is spelled as "i-l-t-y", with the "i" being pronounced as /ɪ/ and the "y" as /iː/. Therefore, the correct spelling of this legal term signifies a plea of innocence.
Not guilty is a legal term that refers to a verdict given by a court of law in a criminal case. It signifies the finding that a defendant has not committed the criminal offense they were accused of. When a defendant is declared not guilty, it means that the evidence presented in the trial failed to prove their culpability beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the standard of proof required in criminal cases.
The term not guilty is the direct opposite of being found guilty, which implies that the defendant is responsible for the crime charged. With a not guilty verdict, the defendant is acquitted and is considered innocent in the eyes of the law. This finding does not necessarily mean the defendant is devoid of any wrongdoing or that they are innocent in an absolute sense, but rather that the prosecution has not successfully established their guilt in court.
Not guilty can also be used in the context of a plea entered by the defendant, known as a plea of not guilty. In this case, the defendant denies the charges brought against them and requests a trial, which allows them the opportunity to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. A plea of not guilty sets in motion the legal process that leads to a trial where guilt or innocence will ultimately be decided by a judge or jury.
The word "not guilty" has the following etymology:
1. Not: The word "not" is derived from the Old English word "not" or "naught", meaning "nothing" or "no".
2. Guilty: The word "guilty" comes from the Old English word "gyltig", which means "culpable" or "liable".
When combined, "not guilty" forms a phrase with an overall meaning of "not being culpable" or "not being liable for a wrongdoing". This phrase is commonly used in legal contexts to indicate that a person is innocent or has not been proven guilty of a crime.