der
Freispruch
🏛️ What does 'der Freispruch' mean?
Der Freispruch (noun, masculine) is a legal decision in a criminal trial stating that the defendant is not guilty of the crime they were accused of, or that their guilt could not be proven. It's the opposite of a Verurteilung (conviction).
Since there is only one article (der), there are no different meanings depending on the article. It is a fixed legal term.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-uch → mostly masculine.
Including -auch nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Bauch)
🧐 Grammar and Declension of 'Freispruch'
The word "Freispruch" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Freispruch |
| Genitive | des | Freispruch(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Freispruch(e) |
| Accusative | den | Freispruch |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Freisprüche |
| Genitive | der | Freisprüche |
| Dative | den | Freisprüchen |
| Accusative | die | Freisprüche |
Example Sentences
- Der Angeklagte hoffte auf einen Freispruch.
(The defendant hoped for an acquittal.) - Nach langen Verhandlungen verkündete der Richter den Freispruch.
(After long deliberations, the judge announced the acquittal.) - Die Begründung des Freispruchs war Mangel an Beweisen.
(The reason for the acquittal was lack of evidence.) - Viele unerwartete Freisprüche sorgten für Aufsehen.
(Many unexpected acquittals caused a stir.)
🗣️ How is 'Freispruch' used?
The term der Freispruch is used almost exclusively in a legal context.
- Court proceedings: The goal of the defense is often an acquittal (ein Freispruch) for the client.
- News reporting: Newspapers report on high-profile trials and their outcomes, e.g., "Überraschender Freispruch im Mordfall X" (Surprising acquittal in murder case X).
- Legal jargon: In legal texts, judgments, and legal discussions, Freispruch is a central term.
Sometimes distinctions are made, such as "Freispruch erster Klasse" (first-class acquittal - innocence is proven beyond doubt) or "Freispruch zweiter Klasse" (second-class acquittal - acquittal due to lack of evidence, based on the principle of in dubio pro reo - when in doubt, for the accused).
The corresponding verb is freisprechen (to acquit): Der Richter spricht den Angeklagten frei (The judge acquits the defendant).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Remember, der Richter (the judge, masc.) spricht (speaks) him frei (free). The verdict is a masculine concept here: der Freispruch.
Meaning Mnemonic: Someone who gets a Freispruch is frei (free) from guilt – at least legally. The court's Spruch (verdict/saying) sets them frei.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Entlastung: (Exoneration, implies relief from accusation)
- Unschuldsbeweis: (Proof of innocence; rather the means to acquittal)
- Rechtfertigung: (Justification; can fit in a broader sense, but less precise)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Verurteilung: (Conviction; finding of guilt with punishment)
- Schuldspruch: (Guilty verdict; finding of guilt)
- Strafbefehl: (Penalty order; a type of judgment without a main trial)
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms
- Freistellung: Means releasing someone from a duty or task (e.g., from work).
- Befreiung: General term for becoming free from something (e.g., Befreiung von Gebühren - exemption from fees).
- Straferlass: Remission or pardon of an already imposed sentence.
😂 A Little Joke
Richter zum Angeklagten: "Sie werden wegen erwiesener Unschuld freigesprochen."
Angeklagter: "Heißt das, ich darf das Geld behalten?"
Translation: Judge to the defendant: "You are acquitted due to proven innocence."
Defendant: "Does that mean I get to keep the money?"
📜 A Poem about Acquittal
Im Saale lastet schwere Ruh,
der Hammer fällt, die Akte zu.
Ein Wort erlöst von Schuld und Pein,
der Freispruch lässt ihn wieder frei sein.
Kein Makel mehr, kein Argwohn kalt,
das Recht hat gesprochen, jung und alt.
Translation:
A heavy silence fills the room,
The gavel falls, sealing the file's doom.
One word releases from guilt and pain,
The acquittal lets him be free again.
No longer tainted, no suspicion cold,
Justice has spoken, to young and old.
❓ A Riddle for Lawyers and Learners
Ich bin das Ende mancher Klage,
erlöse oft aus schwerer Plage.
Das Gegenteil der Schuld und Strafe fein,
was kann ich wohl im Gerichtssaal sein?
Translation:
I am the end of many a plea,
Often releasing from misery.
The opposite of guilt and punishment's sign,
What can I be in the courtroom's line?
Solution: Der Freispruch (The acquittal)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Composition: The word "Freispruch" is composed of:
- frei: Adjective, meaning 'free' here in the sense of 'without guilt', 'innocent'.
- Spruch: Noun, here meaning 'verdict', 'judicial decision', 'ruling'.
Trivia: An acquittal (Freispruch) doesn't always mean innocence has been proven. It often occurs based on the principle "In dubio pro reo" (When in doubt, for the accused), when the evidence is insufficient for a conviction. An acquittal terminates the proceedings against the defendant at that judicial level.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Freispruch?
The German word *Freispruch* is masculine, so the correct article is always der Freispruch. It translates to *acquittal* in English, meaning a court's decision that a defendant is not guilty.