CHINA

Analysis: Why So Few People Are Found Not Guilty in China

Published: Mar. 12, 2025 7:39 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Data released Sunday by China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate showed that 418 individuals were acquitted or found not criminally liable in public prosecution cases in 2024.

New data from China’s top prosecuting body shows that the country’s criminal acquittal rate remains exceptionally low — a phenomenon legal experts attribute to a risk-averse approach taken by courts and an evaluation system that ties conviction rates to prosecutors’ performance.

In 2024, only 418 individuals were acquitted or found not criminally liable in public prosecution cases, accounting for 0.03% of all criminal cases brought forward by public prosecutors last year, according to data released by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) on Sunday.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

China's criminal acquittal rate in 2024 was only 0.03%, meaning just 418 individuals were acquitted, amidst a global average conviction rate of 70%-90%.
Experts attribute this low rate to a risk-averse judicial approach and career incentives that discourage acquittals.
Reforms have been announced by China’s top prosecuting and judicial bodies to potentially move away from rigid performance metrics, although details remain unspecified.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Shangquan Law Firm: Shangquan Law Firm published an article discussing the "leaving some room" approach in Chinese courts, where judges convict defendants in cases with insufficient evidence but issue lighter sentences. This approach assumes defendants will appeal, leaving higher-level courts to handle appeals. They suggest this practice results in courts choosing guilty verdicts as a safe choice rather than confidently exercising their authority to acquit when necessary.

Beijing Xidong Law Firm: Beijing Xidong Law Firm is represented by Jin Lin, its director and a former prosecutor. Jin commented on China's low acquittal rate in public prosecutions, suggesting that while prosecution quality may have improved, securing an acquittal in court has become nearly impossible, raising concerns about the judicial process's effectiveness.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

2024：: Only 418 individuals were acquitted or found not criminally liable in public prosecution cases, accounting for 0.03% of all criminal cases.