Not guilty
Not guilty: A plea that denies the charge and requires the government to prove guilt at trial. It is also the verdict when the prosecution does not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In federal court, if a defendant refuses to enter a plea, the court must enter a plea of not guilty (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(a)(4)).
What not guilty means
In short, not guilty is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where not guilty comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Guilty.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if not guilty appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read not guilty in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Non-lawyer: a person who is not licensed to practice law.
- Nonjudicial foreclosure: foreclosure carried out outside court under a power-of-sale clause and the procedures in a state statute.
- Nonmovant: the party responding to a motion.
- Noscitur a sociis: latin for "it is known by its associates." The canon that "a word is known by the company it keeps," so an unclear word is read in light of the words around it (Yates v. United States, 574 U.S. 528, 543 (2015) (plurality opinion)).
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.