Florida Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What is the meaning of Nolle Prosequi?

1. "Unwilling to prosecute"

2. "Closed case due to a plea"

3. "Case dismissed for lack of evidence"

4. "Defendant found not guilty"

The correct answer is: "Unwilling to prosecute"

Nolle Prosequi is a legal term derived from Latin, meaning "unwilling to prosecute." It is used when a prosecutor decides to discontinue a case or not pursue the charges against a defendant. This can occur for various reasons, such as insufficient evidence, the victim's wishes, or a reevaluation of the merits of the case. When a prosecutor files a nolle prosequi, it essentially indicates that the state is no longer interested in moving forward with the prosecution of the case at that time. The other terms reflect different legal outcomes or decisions. "Closed case due to a plea" refers to scenarios where a defendant enters a plea agreement, while "case dismissed for lack of evidence" specifically implies that the case was actively evaluated and found weak, leading to dismissal. Lastly, "defendant found not guilty" pertains to a verdict reached after a trial. These options represent stages or outcomes of legal proceedings that differ significantly from the decision implied by a nolle prosequi.