Exculpatory
/ˌɛks.kəlˈpɑː.tɔːr.i/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Exculpatory means giving evidence or information that clears someone from blame or fault, especially in legal or serious situations. It shows that a person did not do something wrong or is not responsible for a bad event.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Evidence or information that clears someone from blame
- •The lawyer presented exculpatory evidence to prove his client’s innocence.
- •The video footage was exculpatory and showed the suspect was not at the scene.
- •Police must share any exculpatory information with the defense in a trial.
Describing something that removes guilt or fault
- •His explanation was exculpatory and helped the judge understand the truth.
- •The witness gave an exculpatory statement supporting the accused.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "exculpatory" like "proof" (A1 word), but this proof helps show someone is innocent, not guilty
- ✓Picture a courtroom where a lawyer shows a video that proves a person was somewhere else during a crime
- ✓It’s the relief you feel when someone proves you did not do something wrong
- ✓Sounds like "ex-cull-PAT-or-y" → imagine “ex” meaning “out of,” “culp” meaning “guilt,” so it means “out of guilt” or removing blame
- ✓Think of detective stories where new evidence clears the main character from suspicion
- ✓NOT like "accusatory" (which means showing blame), "exculpatory" removes blame
- ✓NOT like "guilty," which means responsible for a bad action; "exculpatory" means the opposite
Try Other Words
- •Clearing: showing someone is not guilty (Use when you want a simpler word for exculpatory in legal or general contexts)
- •Innocence evidence: information that shows no guilt (Use in legal or formal contexts)
- •Defense evidence: information used to defend someone (Use when talking about court or trial)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ex-" (out of) + "culp" (guilt, blame) + "-atory" (adjective suffix meaning 'related to')
- •Etymology: From Latin "exculpatus," meaning "cleared from blame"
- •Historical development: Used in law to describe evidence or statements that remove blame or guilt
- •Modern usage: Common in legal contexts to describe evidence or reasons that show a person is not responsible for a crime or fault
Reflect & Connect
•How might exculpatory evidence change the outcome of a trial or decision?
•Can something be exculpatory in everyday life, outside of court? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The lawyer found ___ exculpatory ___ evidence that proved the defendant was not at the crime scene.
2.When someone provides exculpatory information, it helps ___ the person from blame or fault.
3.Exculpatory evidence is different from incriminating evidence because it ___ guilt instead of showing it.
4.During the trial, the judge asked if there was any ___ exculpatory ___ information that could change the verdict.
5.The witness gave an exculpatory statement that ___ the accused’s involvement in the crime.
6.Police are required to share any exculpatory evidence ___ the defense to ensure a fair trial.
7.Exculpatory documents often include photos or videos that ___ a person’s innocence.