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Ovidio Guzmán, ‘the Mouse’, pleads not guilty: What is the difference with saying he is innocent?

Three days after the extradition of Ovidio Guzmán López to the United States, ‘el Ratón’, as the mouse is also known, son of Joaquín ‘el Chapo’ Guzmán, appeared at a hearing in which He pleaded not guilty to the five charges against him. the United States authorities.

The hearing of the leader of ‘Los Chapitos’ took place this Monday before a judge of the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago.

What is Ovidio Guzmán accused of?

During the meeting with the United States authorities this Monday, Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman notified the ‘Mouse’ of the five charges that are attributed to him.

The crimes for which the son of ‘Chapo’ Guzmán is seeking to be sentenced are:

  • drug possession controlled
  • Head a criminal enterprise keep going
  • Conspire to produce or manufacture prohibited substances
  • Money launderingand
  • Portation of arms of fire.

What is the difference between innocent and not guilty?

After being informed of the charges against him, Ovidio Guzmán answered questions from Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman.

During the brief interrogation, the judge asked Guzmán López to identify himself, state his state of health and if he speaks English. In addition, she asked him if he pleaded guilty or innocent to each of the crimes.


In response to the judge’s questions, Ovidio Guzmán López He assured that he does speak and understand English. About his health, she said that have clinical conditions related to surgery recent. Furthermore, he pointed out that suffer from depression and anxietyso he takes medication.

Regarding the accusations against him, one of the leaders of ‘Los Chapitos’ of the Sinaloa Cartel He said “not guilty”. This statement raises doubts about what the difference is with the term of innocence of a crime.

In the event that an alleged criminal declares “innocent” of the accusations against him means that that person claims that he or she did not commit such crimes.

Mark yourself as “not guilty” means that the accused person claims that there is insufficient evidence to determine that he or she is responsible of a crime.

According to specialists, “Not guilty” is a legal term used in criminal law which is equivalent to innocent, although it does not mean the same thing in the context of the United States legal system.

Not guilty is a resource used by the defense of the accused that is used when the accusing party (such as the Prosecutor’s Office) is unable or incompetent to establish with reliable evidence before the jury that the accused is really guilty of the charges against him.

When is the next hearing for the ‘Mouse’?

After 14 minutes of hearing, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman decided to adjourn the session and summoned a new meeting dated for next Friday, November 17.

With information from David Vela.

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