Definition

1. Adjective (Legal):
   • Acquitted: The state of being declared not guilty of a crime by a court of law after a trial. It signifies a full legal exoneration.
   • To receive a verdict of not guilty: Describes the outcome for a defendant who is cleared of all charges.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bị cáo đã được tuyên trắng án vì không có đủ chứng cứ. (The defendant was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.)
  • Sau phiên tòa kéo dài, cuối cùng anh ta cũng trắng án. (After the lengthy trial, he was finally found not guilty.)
  • Mong rằng công lý được thực thi và người vô tội sẽ trắng án. (I hope justice is served and the innocent person will be acquitted.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is specifically used in the context of formal legal proceedings and court verdicts. It is a final judgment, not a dismissal of charges before trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Được tha bổng: A near-synonymous legal phrase also meaning to be acquitted or exonerated.
• Vô tội: (Adjective) Innocent. This describes a state of being not guilty, while "trắng án" refers specifically to the legal declaration of that state.
• Án tích: (Noun) Criminal record. This is the opposite concept, as someone who is "trắng án" would not have an "án tích" for that case.

Synonyms

• Acquitted: Freed from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty.
• Exonerated: Officially absolved from blame.
• Cleared: Having suspicion or a formal accusation removed.

Related Idioms

• While "trắng án" itself is a standard legal term, it is sometimes used metaphorically in broader contexts.
  • Công ty đó gần như trắng án sau cuộc điều tra về vi phạm. (That company was virtually cleared after the investigation into violations.)