not proven

idiomPart ofproven

not proven — idiom

1. A decision in a court case that there is not enough evidence to decide if someon

1.idiom
Definition

A decision in a court case that there is not enough evidence to decide if someone is guilty or innocent, so the person is released.

Example

The jury returned a verdict of not proven for the defendant.

In Scotland, a not proven verdict means the accused goes free.