The term "not guilty" refers to a legal verdict in which a person accused of a crime is found not to have committed the offense. This decision is typically reached by a judge or jury after examining the evidence presented during a trial. A "not guilty" verdict means that the prosecution did not prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In the legal system, being declared "not guilty" does not necessarily mean the person is innocent; it simply indicates that there was insufficient evidence to convict. This principle is a fundamental part of the justice system, ensuring that individuals, such as defendants, are protected from wrongful convictions.