There are three possibilities; absolute acquittal, apparent acquittal and deferment.

"Apparent acquittal and deferment," said the painter.

You can get either of them if I help you, but it'll take some effort of course, the difference between them is that apparent acquittal needs concentrated effort for a while and that deferment takes much less effort but it has to be sustained.

"You clearly don't think an apparent acquittal offers much advantage," said the painter, "perhaps deferment would suit you better.

Would you like me to explain what deferment is about?"

Compared with an apparent acquittal, deferment has the advantage that the defendant's future is less uncertain, he's safe from the shock of being suddenly re-arrested and doesn't need to fear the exertions and stress involved in getting an apparent acquittal just when everything else in his life would make it most difficult.

Deferment does have certain disadvantages of its own though, too, and they shouldn't be under-estimated.

Deferment in sentence

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