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

An acquittal and a dismissal are two different outcomes of a criminal case in North Carolina. An acquittal is when a defendant is found not guilty and cannot be tried again for the same criminal charge. This is because the defendant’s guilt could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. An acquittal is the ultimate outcome of a criminal case and it allows a defendant to move on and pursue any other legal actions that may be available. A dismissal, however, does not have to do with a defendant’s guilt or innocence. A dismissal is typically used when the prosecution has decided to not pursue a case, or does not feel they have enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A dismissal may also occur after the defense has presented their case and the court decides there is not enough evidence to support the criminal charge. Although both outcomes are favorable to the defendant, the two outcomes do carry a different weight. An acquittal means the defendant was found not guilty, while a dismissal means there was not enough evidence to convict the defendant. Both outcomes are beneficial to the defendant, but they do have different meanings.

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

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