California · Penal Code

PEN §1151: A general verdict upon a plea of not guilty is either “guilty” or “not guilty,” which imports a conviction or acquittal of the offense charged in the accusatory pleading.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines the types of general verdicts courts may enter in criminal cases, including guilty, not guilty, and verdicts based on prior conviction or acquittal pleas.

Read the full statutory text

A general verdict upon a plea of not guilty is either “guilty” or “not guilty,” which imports a conviction or acquittal of the offense charged in the accusatory pleading. Upon a plea of a former conviction or acquittal of the offense charged, or upon a plea of once in jeopardy, the general verdict is either “for the people” or “for the defendant.” When the defendant is acquitted on the ground of a variance between the accusatory pleading and the proof, the verdict is “not guilty by reason of variance between charge and proof.”

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