What is the difference between an acquittal and a conviction?

An acquittal and a conviction are two different types of outcomes in criminal cases. In Virginia, an acquittal is a verdict of not guilty, and it means the defendant has been found innocent of the crime they were accused of. A conviction, on the other hand, is a verdict of guilty, and it means that the defendant has been found guilty of the crime they were accused of. An acquittal is not an admission of innocence. It is merely a decision that there is not enough evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In essence, an acquittal means that the prosecution did not present enough evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt. If a defendant is convicted of a white collar crime in Virginia, they can be sentenced to jail time, fines, or other forms of punishment. The exact sentence the defendant receives depends on the severity of the crime and the history of the offender. In short, an acquittal is a verdict of not guilty, meaning the defendant has been found innocent of the crime they were accused of. A conviction is a verdict of guilty, and it can result in jail time, fines, or other punishment.

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