When ‘not guilty’ does not mean ‘free to go’

WHEN a person accused of killing another is acquitted on the grounds of unsoundness of mind, public anger is understandable. A precious life has been lost. And we may never understand the pain, grief, and anguish the surviving family members went through.

 To those unfamiliar with criminal law, the word “acquitted” can sound as though the accused has escaped responsibility altogether. That perception, however, risks creating a serious misunderstanding of Malaysian criminal law.