Dictionary of Law
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nolle prosequi :: legal definition


Nolle prosequi - (no-lay pro-say-kwee) n. Latin for "we shall no longer prosecute," which is a declaration made to the judge by a prosecutor in a criminal case (or by a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit) either before or during trial, meaning the case against the defendant is being dropped. The statement is an admission that the charges cannot be proved, that evidence has demonstrated either innocence or a fatal flaw in the prosecution's claim or the district attorney has become convinced the accused is innocent. Understandably, usage of the phrase is rare. In the 1947 courtroom movie, Boomerang! the climactic moment arrived when the District Attorney himself proved the accused person innocent and declared nolle prosequi.


Related Law Terms

actionable :: adj. when enough facts or circumstances exist to m ... ction lawsuit malicious prosecution
adjuster :: n. an employee (usually a non-lawyer) of an insura ... e company in approving settlements.
adverse witness :: n. a witness in a trial who is found by the judge ... r the opposition. See also: witness
arbitrator :: n. one who conducts an arbitration, and serves as ... he other two. See also: arbitration
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
attorney of record :: n. the attorney who has appeared in court and/or s ... eve have long since been completed.
attorney's work product :: n. written materials, charts, notes of conversatio ... ivileged communication work product
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
caption :: n. the first section of any written legal pleading ... to the exact format of the caption.
contingent fee :: n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable ... epend on the outcome are unethical.
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence
directed verdict :: n. a verdict by a jury based on the specific direc ... element judgment jury trial verdict
District Attorney (D.A.) :: n. an elected official of a county or a designated ... dent and serve at his/her pleasure.
extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
hostile witness :: n. technically an "adverse witness" in a trial who ... so: adverse witness leading witness
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
insufficient evidence :: n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an app ... l court. See also: evidence finding
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
motion for dismissal :: (non-suit) n. application by a defendant in a laws ... otion for nonsuit. See also: motion
presumption of innocence :: n. a fundamental protection for a person accused o ... yond a reasonable doubt presumption
prima facie :: : (pry-mah fay-shah) adj. Latin for "at first look ... t" case. See also: prima facie case
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
prosecute :: v. 1) in criminal law, to charge a person with a c ... rney General prosecution prosecutor
prosecution :: n. 1) in criminal law, the government attorney cha ... se). See also: prosecute prosecutor
prosecutor :: n. generic term for the government's attorney in a ... ee also: Attorney General prosecute
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction

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Other Law Terms - N

N.O.V. :: adj. shorthand acronym of Latin for non obstante v ... notwithstanding the verdict verdic
National Labor Relations Board :: n. an independent regulatory commission created in ... see union and organizing elections.
natural law :: n. 1) standards of conduct derived from traditiona ... eated by mankind through the state.
natural person :: n. a real human being, as distinguished from a cor ... ated at law as a fictitious person.
necessary :: adj., adv. 1) essen- tial. 2) less forcefully, it ... nient, useful or making good sense.
necessary inference :: n. 1) a conclusion militated by reason and logic a ... nown facts. 2) unavoidable meaning.
necessary party :: n. a person or entity whose interests will be affe ... o: indispensable party proper party
negative declaration :: n. a finding by a city council or other local gove ... so: EIR environmental impact report
negative pregnant :: n. a denial of an allegation in which a person act ... suse, just the amount and the date.
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
negligence per se :: (purr say) n. negligence due to the violation of a ... riving. See also: negligence per se
negligent :: adj., adv. careless in not fulfilling responsibili ... esponsibility. See also: negligence
negotiable instrument :: n. check, promissory note, bill of exchange, secur ... bearer paper bill of exchange check
negotiation :: n. 1) the transfer of a check, promissory note, bi ... te. See also: negotiable instrument
net :: : n., adj. the amount of money or value remaining ... or net estate. See also: net estate
net estate :: n. the remaining estate of a person who has died, ... alue. See also: estate tax gift tax
new matter :: n. newly claimed facts or legal issues raised (bro ... ee also: affirmative defense answer
next friend :: n. a person (often a relative) who voluntarily hel ... filed. See also: guardian ad litem
next of kin :: n. 1) the nearest blood relatives of a person who ... See also: descent and distribution
nihil :: (ni [as in it]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing. ... t]-hill) n. from Latin for nothing.