nol. pros.
LowLegal / Formal
Definition
Meaning
Nolle prosequi; a formal notice by a prosecutor or plaintiff to drop some or all charges or claims in a legal case.
A legal notation indicating the voluntary termination of proceedings before a verdict or judgment, often used when evidence becomes insufficient or continuing the case is not in the public interest.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in written legal documents, court records, and formal legal discussions. It is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'nolle prosequi' (literally 'to be unwilling to pursue').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both jurisdictions but is more common in American legal contexts, especially at the federal and state levels. In UK courts, prosecutors more often 'offer no evidence' or the Crown Prosecution Service formally discontinues proceedings, though the term may still appear in historical or formal documents.
Connotations
In both systems, it implies a formal, discretionary decision by the prosecution, not a finding of innocence or a dismissal by the court.
Frequency
More frequent in American legal writing and case law. Rare in everyday UK English and even in most contemporary UK legal reports.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The prosecutor nol. prossed the case.A nol. pros. was entered on the record.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in legal academic writing discussing criminal procedure.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Exclusively in legal practice, court documentation, and legal journalism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Crown Prosecution Service rarely nol. prosses a case at this stage.
- Counsel applied to nol. pros. the remaining counts.
American English
- The District Attorney decided to nol. pros. the felony charge.
- They moved to nol. pros. the indictment after the key witness recanted.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The term 'nol. pros.' is a legal abbreviation you might see in a news article about a court case.
- Upon reviewing the new evidence, the state attorney filed a nol. pros., effectively ending the prosecution's case against the defendant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'NO Longer PROSecuting' – the 'nol.' sounds like 'no longer' and 'pros.' is the start of 'prosecuting'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A legal 'undo' or 'retreat' button pressed by the state.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'not guilty' (невиновный) or 'acquittal' (оправдание). It is a procedural action by the prosecution, not a judicial verdict.
- Avoid translating 'pros' as a short form of a Russian word; it comes from Latin 'prosequi'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun in everyday conversation.
- Spelling it as 'nol pros' without the periods.
- Pronouncing it as a single word /ˈnɒlprɒs/.
- Confusing it with a dismissal by the judge.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'nol. pros.' signify in a legal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An acquittal is a finding of 'not guilty' by a judge or jury. A nol. pros. is a decision by the prosecution not to continue the case, which does not legally establish innocence.
Generally, the prosecution can re-file the charges later unless barred by double jeopardy rules or a specific court order, as a nol. pros. typically does not preclude restarting the case.
Not usually. It is a unilateral action by the prosecution, though the court typically must approve the entry of the nol. pros. on the docket.
It is primarily a criminal law term. In civil cases, the equivalent action is a 'voluntary dismissal' or 'notice of discontinuance' filed by the plaintiff.