Have you ever heard the legal term “nol. pros.” and wondered what it meant? Even if you’re not a lawyer, you should understand the meaning of this common legal principle. That’s why we’ve put together this concise guide to what nol. pros. means, and how it works.
What Does Nol. Pros. Mean?
Nol. pros. is an abbreviation for nolle prosequi—a Latin phrase meaning “to be unwilling to pursue.” When a prosecutor or a plaintiff files a nol. pros. in court, it indicates that they do not want to continue the criminal or civil case. This could be because of insufficient evidence or a perceived lack of merit to the case.
Essentially, nol. pros. puts an end to the criminal or civil proceedings. Neither party is found to be right or wrong, and the case is indefinitely dismissed. However, a nol. pros. should not be confused with an acquittal, which implies that a defendant has been found innocent. With a nol. pros., the case is simply dropped.
When Is a Nol. Pros. Filed?
As mentioned above, a nol. pros. is typically filed when there is insufficient evidence or a strong lack of merit to pursue the case. For example, if a criminal defendant had an alibi that could not be proven, the prosecution might decide to file a nol. pros. so as not to waste time and resources.
Similarly, if a plaintiff in a civil court case does not have enough evidence to prove their case, they maychoose to drop it. In these cases, a nol. pros. is often used to signify that the parties are in agreement to drop the case for legal or strategic reasons.
Is a Nol. Pros. Reversible?
In most cases, a nol. pros. is not reversible.Once the nol. pros. is filed, the case is typically considered done and can’t be brought back to court. This is why both parties must be sure they want to file a nol. pros. before they do so.
Understanding Nol. Pros.: A Final Word
Now that you understand what nol. pros. means and when it’s filed, you have a better idea of how the legal system works. Nol. pros. provides the parties involved with a way to end a case without either side winning or losing, allowing them to move on without worrying about the consequences of a final judgment.