There is a subtle difference within the criminal justice system with regards to the terms “acquitted” and “not guilty.” The term “not guilty” means that a defendant is not legally answerable for a certain crime, or even part of it. Consider, for example, a person that is charged with domestic violence and rape. If there is insufficient evidence to support the rape charge, but there is enough evidence to prove the domestic violence charge, then the accused is not guilty of part of the case. “Acquitted” means that after a jury trial or a bench trial, the trial judge or jury finds the defendant not guilty.