Legal Definitions - non culpabilis

non culpabilis

This Latin term translates directly to "not guilty." In a legal context, it refers to a formal declaration made by a defendant in response to a criminal charge, or a verdict rendered by a judge or jury after a trial.

• Example 1: Entering a Plea

  Imagine a person, Ms. Chen, is accused of trespassing on private property. When she appears in court for her arraignment, the judge asks how she pleads to the charge. Ms. Chen, believing she had permission to be there, formally states, "Not guilty."

  This illustrates non culpabilis as Ms. Chen's formal denial of the accusation, signaling her intent to challenge the prosecution's case and require them to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

• Example 2: A Jury's Verdict

  In a high-profile case involving alleged embezzlement, the jury has listened to weeks of testimony and reviewed extensive evidence. After careful deliberation, they conclude that the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence to convince them, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant, Mr. Davies, committed the crime. The jury foreman then announces their verdict: "Not guilty."

  Here, non culpabilis signifies the jury's finding that the legal burden of proof was not met by the prosecution, leading to Mr. Davies' acquittal. It does not necessarily mean the jury believes he is innocent, but rather that his guilt was not proven according to the required legal standard.