acquittal
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acquittal
The formal decision by a court that an accused person is not guilty. An acquittal ends the court proceedings in favor of the defendant.
Nach einem langen Prozess plädierte die Verteidigung erfolgreich auf Freispruch aus Mangel an Beweisen.
After a long trial, the defense successfully argued for acquittal due to lack of evidence.
The word consists of 'frei' (free) and 'der Spruch' (the saying/verdict). Here, 'Spruch' can be understood as 'Urteilsspruch' (verdict). So a 'Freispruch' (acquittal) is a verdict that makes someone 'frei' (free).
Am Ende des Prozesses stand der unerwartete Freispruch.
At the end of the trial came the unexpected acquittal.
Common expressions in a legal context are 'auf Freispruch plädieren' (to argue for acquittal) or 'einen Freispruch fordern' (to demand an acquittal). A typical reason is 'Freispruch aus Mangel an Beweisen' (acquittal due to lack of evidence).
Der Anwalt forderte für seinen Mandanten einen Freispruch.
The lawyer demanded an acquittal for his client.
In combination with the verb 'plädieren' (to plead/argue), the preposition 'auf' is used with the accusative: Die Verteidigung plädiert auf Freispruch. (The defense argues for acquittal.)
Die Anwältin hat überzeugend auf Freispruch plädiert.
The lawyer argued convincingly for acquittal.
attitude / setting
Both words can refer to ending criminal proceedings without a conviction. „Einstellung“ ends the proceedings without constituting a judicial finding of guilt or innocence, while „Freispruch“ specifically refers to the court's decision in favor of the accused person.
Nach der Verhandlung erhielt der Angeklagte einen Freispruch.
The defendant was acquitted after the trial.
Das Verfahren wurde wegen fehlender Beweise eingestellt.
The proceedings were discontinued because of a lack of evidence.
