Final answer:
When an accused is acquitted of a criminal offense, it means they have been found not guilty of the offense, and they are protected from being tried again for the same crime by the double jeopardy rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an accused is acquitted of a criminal offense, it means he or she has been found not guilty of the offense. This can occur after a trial where the prosecution fails to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Once acquitted, the double jeopardy rule prevents the same individual from being tried again for the same crime at the same level of government, ensuring their protection from repeated prosecution on the same charges.
In contrast to being acquitted, if the defendant is found guilty of one or more offenses, sentencing occurs, which in the federal system often follows guidelines with assigned point values for different offenses. Moreover, even if acquitted criminally, the individual could potentially face a civil trial, where the standard of proof is lower (preponderance of the evidence) than in a criminal trial (beyond a reasonable doubt).
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is A. He has been found not guilty of the offense.