An acquittal occurs when you are charged with an offense, but the court finds that you are not guilty. Unlike a dismissal, an acquittal does not allow the state to refile charges or appeal the finding of innocence. 

An expungement is the removal of any trace of an arrest or criminal offense. Acquittals are very beneficial to the expungement process because the law requires that your record must be expunged if you were found not guilty. However, if your case was dismissed you can steal seek an expungement, but the process usually takes much longer. Acquittals and dismissals are a very nuanced area of the law. Please see our full post on acquittals at http://http//coferlaw.com/6535/acquittal-definition-mean-not-guilty/  for more information on the subject and how our firm can help.