nolle prosequi

[ nol-ee pros-i-kwahy, -kwee ]

noun

, Law.

1. an entry made upon the records of a court when the plaintiff or prosecutor will proceed no further in a suit or action. : nol. pros.

nolle prosequi

/ ˈnɒlɪ ˈprɒsɪˌkwaɪ /

noun

1. law an entry made on the court record when the plaintiff in a civil suit or prosecutor in a criminal prosecution undertakes not to continue the action or prosecution Compare non prosequitur

Word History and Origins

Origin of nolle prosequi¹

1675–85; < Latin: be unwilling to pursue, do not prosecute

Word History and Origins

Origin of nolle prosequi¹

Latin: do not pursue (prosecute)

Example Sentences

Judge Joseph Teefy of Dinwiddie Circuit Court on Sunday approved the prosecutor’s motion to nolle prosequi — or effectively drop for now — the case against five sheriff’s deputies, according to court records.

From Seattle Times

The appellate court questioned the timing of when prosecutors asked the Baltimore court to drop the charges, a process known as nolle prosequi, or nol pros for short.

From Washington Post

On 13 December, federal prosecutors filed a "nolle prosequi" - a legal document that declares they no longer wished to pursue the case - and said Ms Noel and Mr Thomas had satisfactorily complied with the agreement.

From BBC

There were lots and lots of stories that we would have included Friday, certainly including the nolle prosequi of the former national security adviser.

From Fox News

In the end, prosecutors used a “nolle prosequi” — translation: “to be unwilling to pursue” — to dismiss the charges.

From New York Times