What is the difference between an acquittal and a dismissal?

The difference between an acquittal and a dismissal is clear in the way criminal cases are dealt with in California. An acquittal is when a defendant is found not guilty of a crime by a court. This means the court has determined that the accused did not commit the crime as charged. A dismissal is when the court terminates a criminal case based on the evidence presented in the court. This means that the charges have been dropped and the defendant is free to go. In the context of drug crimes law in California, an acquittal and a dismissal can both be seen as favorable outcomes for a defendant. An acquittal indicates the accused did not commit the crime and is, therefore, found not guilty. A dismissal, on the other hand, can be either voluntary or involuntary, but it still ends the case and the defendant is free to go. A voluntary dismissal is when both the defense and prosecutor agree to end the case. An involuntary dismissal means the defendant is found innocent due to a lack of sufficient evidence. In both cases, the defendant is released and their criminal record is clear; however, an acquittal is more beneficial because it shows that the court found the defendant is innocent and the charges have been dropped. Whereas a dismissal is more of an administrative decision, an acquittal represents a more sweeping validation of innocence.

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