Question

What is the difference between the terms “not guilty” and “innocent?”

Answer 1

It cannot be proved that an individual is “innocent.” Juries say “not guilty” because guilt was not proved in the case. The answer is A.

Answer 2

It cannot be proved that an individual is “innocent.” Juries say “not guilty” because guilt was not proved in the case.

Innocent is an antonym of guilty but is not synonymous to "not guilty". It encompasses more than the term "not guilty". Innocent is defined as someone that is free from moral wrong or is not corrupted or pure.

In the court of law, one cannot say that the accused is innocent. The accused can only be given the verdict of "not guilty" if he or she is found without guilt on the case he or she is facing.