Does ‘innocent’ have the same legal meaning as ‘not guilty’?

The U.S. Department of Justice acknowledges that “not guilty” and “innocent” are often used interchangeably in conversation, but are not synonymous in a court of law.

“Innocent” is not a valid court ruling. A jury cannot declare an innocent verdict. “Not guilty” means the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof, and the defendant cannot be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Not guilty verdicts are often the result of insufficient evidence, inadmissible evidence, or an unconvinced jury.  Defendants do not have to be proven innocent for the verdict to be “not guilty.” 

The former owner of Casa Maria’s restaurant in Columbia was found not guilty of arson in February 2026, with the jury finding the prosecution didn’t provide evidence to prove Umfress’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.