Guilty/Not Guilty vs Innocent

[CuriousGeorge61]

What is the name of your state?I live in Texas. Recently I have read newspaper articles where the journalist stated that a defendant was "Found innocent of all charges"...

It has always been my understanding that there were only TWO basic verdicts available in a court of law. "GUILTY" and "NOT GUILTY" with varying conditions such as "Not Guilty by reason of Insanity", etc...

Has this changed? If so, when did Innocent become an allowable verdict?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

What is the name of your state?I live in Texas. Recently I have read newspaper articles where the journalist stated that a defendant was "Found innocent of all charges"...

It has always been my understanding that there were only TWO basic verdicts available in a court of law. "GUILTY" and "NOT GUILTY" with varying conditions such as "Not Guilty by reason of Insanity", etc...

Has this changed? If so, when did Innocent become an allowable verdict?

My response:

You make a valid point. For juries, there are only two "basic" choices, as you mentioned. There is a distinct difference between Not Guilty and Innocent. Apparently, the newspaper was taking "editorial license" when saying "innocent" which, if the decision was made by a jury, is inaccurate. A judge is the only person who can make a judgment of "innocence" - - not a jury.

IAAL

 

[CuriousGeorge61]

To: I Am Alway Liable

So what you are saying is that there IS a verdict of "Innocent", but only by a judge?