Also known as: NG · not guilty plea
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A formal plea by a criminal defendant denying commission of the charged offense or a jury verdict that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Nathan Nguyen was charged with assault after striking a bystander during an epileptic seizure. Medical evidence showed the movements were involuntary. The court entered a not guilty verdict because liability requires a voluntary act.
Neil Nair faced murder charges and presented extensive psychiatric testimony. The jury concluded he lacked capacity to form intent at the time of the shooting. It returned a not guilty verdict on the ground of insanity.
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Neville Norton was prosecuted for bigamy after entering a second marriage under church doctrine. He requested a not guilty instruction based on his sincere religious duty. The court refused and the jury convicted him.
Norton Bank and its officers were indicted for multiple violations of the poultry industry code. They pleaded not guilty and moved to dismiss on constitutional grounds. The district court overruled the motions and set the case for trial.
Nestor Navarro was convicted of felony charges after being denied appointed counsel at trial. On appeal the conviction was reversed. The case was remanded for retrial with counsel, preserving his not guilty plea.
Nadia Novak claimed ownership of cargo seized by an uncommissioned vessel. The court examined whether the captors acted lawfully under the laws of war. It ultimately entered judgment consistent with a not guilty finding on criminal charges.
The prosecution must prove that the defendant's liability rests on conduct that includes a voluntary act or a physically capable omission. Without that showing the defendant is not guilty of the offense.
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A standard not guilty plea asserts that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the crime. A not guilty plea by reason of insanity concedes the act but claims mental illness prevented criminal responsibility, typically leading to commitment rather than release.
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No. A not guilty verdict means only that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It does not affirmatively establish factual innocence.
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…22, col. 1; N. Y. Times, Aug. 25, 1965, p. 1, col. 1. In general, see Borchard, Convicting the Innocent (1932); Frank & Frank, Not Guilty (1957). [^maj-25]: In the fourth confession case decided by the Court in the 1962 Term, Fay v. Noia , 372 U. S. 391 (1963), our disposition made it unnecessary to delve at length into the…