"Pleading not guilty" and "being found not guilty" are two distinct stages in a criminal trial, and they have different meanings and implications:
Pleading Not Guilty: When a person is accused of committing a crime and brought to trial, they have the opportunity to enter a plea in response to the charges. The two most common pleas are "guilty" and "not guilty." Pleading "not guilty" means the defendant is asserting their innocence and denying the charges brought against them. By doing so, they are stating that they did not commit the alleged offense and are requesting a trial where the prosecution will have the burden of proving their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Being Found Not Guilty: After the trial, during which both the prosecution and the defense present their cases and evidence, the judge or jury deliberates and reaches a verdict. If the judge or jury concludes that the prosecution has not proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, they will render a verdict of "not guilty." In this case, the defendant is acquitted of the charges, and the law considers them innocent in the eyes of the court.
In summary, "pleading not guilty" is the defendant's initial assertion of innocence and the formal declaration that they contest the charges. "Being found not guilty" is the outcome of the trial, where the judge or jury determines that the prosecution has not met the burden of proof required to establish the defendant's guilt. A "not guilty" verdict results in the defendant being acquitted and treated as if they were never charged with the crime in question.