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.
judgment / verdict
'das Urteil' and 'der Freispruch' both belong to the language of the court. 'Urteil' is the general term for the legal decision at the end of a trial. 'Freispruch' is a specific outcome: the court decides that the accused person is not guilty. They can be confused because an acquittal is also pronounced through a verdict. But not every verdict is an acquittal; it can also include a sentence.
Nach dem Freispruch konnte der Angeklagte das Gericht erleichtert verlassen.
After the acquittal, the defendant was able to leave the court feeling relieved.
Die Familie wartete nervös auf das Urteil des Gerichts.
The family waited nervously for the court's verdict.