What is the difference between an acquittal and a dismissal in criminal cases?

An acquittal and a dismissal are both outcomes of criminal trials, but they are different from each other. An acquittal occurs when a jury or judge finds that there is not enough evidence to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, the defendant will be cleared of all charges and released from trial. A dismissal, on the other hand, occurs when the prosecutor or judge decides that there is not enough evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt. In Arizona, a dismissal can occur at any point of the criminal court process. For example, a judge may decide that there is a lack of evidence to continue the trial and thus dismiss the charges. In summary, the key difference between an acquittal and a dismissal is that the former is decided by the jury or judge, whereas the latter is decided by the prosecutor or judge. Additionally, an acquittal requires the court to find that the defendant is not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, while a dismissal may be based on a lack of evidence or other reasons.

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What is the difference between an acquittal and a dismissal in criminal cases?

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