Trumpled (Alternative Leading)

[LP]

He was exonerated of the Holdsworthy charges (one of my army homes!).

I hate that word exonerated, because it's used in the media context that implies no involvement or that the charges were fanciful.

But generally in Australia as I understand things it means someone who was initially found guilty had the decision reversed on some grounds by a higher court, often that is a technicality such as a breach of procedure by investigators or tainted evidence.

In that respect it's different from being acquitted, which as I understand is generally a not guilty finding in the first instance.

The public perception of those terms is often the reverse because exoneration is often associated with fraudulent accusations or evidence discovered after a conviction!

It's miles away from suggesting somebody wasn't involved, or that the charges were fraudulent, wrong or fanciful.

Maybe Mav can clarify.