Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

guilty-verdict

noun

/ˈɡɪlti ˈvɜrdɪkt/

Definition

A guilty verdict is a formal decision made by a judge or jury, declaring that an individual is guilty of a crime or offense based on the evidence presented during a trial.

Examples

The jury returned a guilty verdict after several hours of deliberation.
After the guilty verdict was announced, the defendant showed visible signs of distress.
In a criminal trial, reaching a guilty verdict requires a unanimous decision from the jury.

Meaning

The term reflects the conclusion in a legal proceeding that the accused has committed the alleged act and is therefore responsible for it under the law.