nolle prosequi

noun

nol·​le pro·​se·​qui ˌnä-lē-ˈprä-sə-ˌkwī How to pronounce nolle prosequi (audio)
: an entry on the record of a legal action denoting that the prosecutor or plaintiff will proceed no further in an action or suit either as a whole or as to some count or as to one or more of several defendants

Examples of nolle prosequi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The prosecutor entered a nolle prosequi and did not pursue any charges against me. Corey Brian Friedman, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024 The three charges were entered as nolle prosequi Tuesday, meaning they were dropped. Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2024 Hayden said his office had filed a nolle prosequi Monday, officially stating his intent not to proceed with the case. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Oct. 2022 Hayden’s office filed what’s known as a nolle prosequi statement. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Oct. 2022 That procedural move was to have been followed by prosecutors dropping the matter, officially known as a nolle prosequi. Adrian Walker, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2020 Murder case ends On March 3, a judge granted a nolle prosequi request by prosecutors to dismiss the murder charges against Fotis Dulos, ending that criminal case. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2020 Rollins on Wednesday asked a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to step in and reverse Sinnott’s decision in a nolle prosequi case. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2019 The nolle prosequi is not an acquittal but an acknowledgement of the reality that the prosecution of Fotis Dulos cannot continue. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Latin, to be unwilling to pursue

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nolle prosequi was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near nolle prosequi

Cite this Entry

“Nolle prosequi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nolle%20prosequi. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

nolle prosequi

noun
nolle pros·​e·​qui -ˈprä-sə-ˌkwī, -ˌkwē How to pronounce nolle prosequi (audio)
: an entry in a criminal action denoting that the prosecutor will not prosecute the case further in whole or as to one or more of several counts or one or more of several defendants compare non prosequitur
Etymology

Latin, to be unwilling to pursue

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