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 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 Morrissey said his office Monday will file nolle prosequi, or nonprosecution, statements formally dismissing 50 cases. BostonGlobe.com, 29 Nov. 2019 The records indicate he was initially charged with felony first-degree assault upon his arrest on Nov. 30, but that a disposition of nolle prosequi was entered on Monday, meaning the state chose not to pursue that charge. Jon Kelvey, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 2 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nolle prosequi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Apr. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on nolle prosequi

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!