New York State Private Investigator Practice Exam

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What legal term characterizes a person's criminal guilt being removed?

Affidavit
Acquit
Alibi
Abandonment

The correct answer is: Acquit

The legal term that characterizes a person's criminal guilt being removed is "acquit." When someone is acquitted, it means that they have been declared not guilty of the charges against them, typically after a trial. This determination can come from a jury or a judge, indicating that the evidence presented did not sufficiently prove the person's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An acquittal does not imply the individual is innocent but rather that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof required for a conviction. The other terms listed do not relate to the removal of criminal guilt in this way. An affidavit refers to a written statement confirmed by oath, which is often used as evidence in court. An alibi is a defense used to show that the accused was elsewhere when the crime occurred, and it does not inherently remove guilt but serves to contradict the prosecution's case. Abandonment in legal terms often refers to the relinquishing of a right or property, but does not apply to criminal guilt. These distinctions clarify why "acquit" is the appropriate choice in this context.