In the common law tradition, an acquittal formally certifies the innocence of the accused, as far as the criminal law's concerned. This's so even where the prosecution's abandoned nolle prosequi. Under the rules of double jeopardy and autrefois acquit, an acquittal operates to bar the retrial of the accused for the same offense, even if new evidence surfaces that further implicates the accused. The effect of an acquittal on criminal proceedings's the same whether it results from a jury verdict… (More on Acquittal)