Motion for Judgment of Acquittal

A motion for judgment of acquittal is a request by the defense, typically made at the close of the prosecution’s case or at the close of all evidence, asking the court to enter a judgment of acquittal on some or all of the charges. The motion argues that the prosecution has failed to present sufficient evidence to support a conviction, even when viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution. The court must grant the motion if no rational trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt based on the evidence presented. If the motion is granted, the charges are dismissed, and the defendant is acquitted.