nolle prosequi
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A formal entry in a court record indicating that the prosecutor or plaintiff will not proceed with the case: It is a legal declaration to abandon or discontinue a prosecution or lawsuit.
Verb (rare, often used in the past tense form "nolle prossed"):
- To drop a prosecution by entering a nolle prosequi in the court records: The act of formally terminating legal proceedings.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The attorney filed a nolle prosequi, ending the criminal case against the defendant.
- After reviewing new evidence, the state entered a nolle prosequi.
Verb:
- The prosecutor decided to nolle prosse the charges.
- The case was nolle prossed yesterday.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often abbreviated as "nol. pros." or "nolle pros." in legal documents and notes.
- It is a discretionary act by the prosecuting authority and does not typically prevent the refiling of charges in the future, unlike a dismissal with prejudice.
Variants and Related Words
- Nolle prossed (verb, past tense): The action of having entered a .
- The indictment was nolle prossed by the district attorney.
- Nol-pros (verb, informal): A shortened, informal verb form.
- The DA chose to nol-pros the case.
Synonyms
- Noun: Discontinuance, abandonment of prosecution, dismissal (without prejudice).
- Verb: Drop the charges, discontinue prosecution, abandon the case.
Notes
- Origin: A Latin phrase meaning "to be unwilling to pursue."
- This term is specific to common law legal systems, particularly in the United States. Its use and implications can vary by jurisdiction.
Noun
- an entry in the court record to the effect that the plaintiff or prosecutor will not proceed
Verb
- drop prosecution of by entering a nolle prosequi in the court records
- They nolle prossed the charge