Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

nolle prosequi

Legal Term

/ˈnōlē prəˈskwē/

Definition

A legal term indicating that the prosecutor will not prosecute a particular charge or case.

Examples

The judge accepted the nolle prosequi motion, leading to the dismissal of the charges against the defendant.
Due to insufficient evidence, the prosecutor filed a nolle prosequi, effectively ending the case.
In the case of nolle prosequi, the accused must understand that the charges may be revived later if needed.

Meaning

Nolle prosequi is often used in court settings to signal the discontinuation of a prosecution or the dropping of charges by the prosecutor. It allows the prosecutor to discontinue a case without prejudice, meaning it can potentially be brought back in the future if circumstances change.