A plea by the accused in a criminal action that denies every essential element of the offense charged. 287 F. 2d 435, 440-441. A plea of not guilty on arraignment obliges the government to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and preserves the right to defend. 128 F. 2d 265, 273. A jury verdict of not guilty does not mean the jury found the accused innocent, but simply that the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. 87 P. 2d 251, 256.
not guilty by reason of insanity a special form of verdict or finding usually followed by commitment of the defendant to a mental institution. The insanity defense differs from other defenses in that if successful, it is not an acquittal and does not result in the outright release of the accused unless the defense is temporary insanity and the court finds that the defendant poses no present danger to himself or to others. LaFave, Criminal Law §4.6 (3d ed. 2000).
