Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: PROSEQUI
Definition: Prosequi means to follow up or pursue, or to sue or prosecute. Nolle prosequi is a legal notice that a lawsuit or prosecution has been abandoned. It is a docket entry showing that the plaintiff or the prosecution has abandoned the action. Nolle prosequi is a formal entry on the record by the prosecuting officer by which he declares that he will not prosecute the case further. It is a judicial determination in favor of the accused and against his conviction, but it is not an acquittal, nor is it equivalent to a pardon.
Definition: To follow up or pursue; to sue or prosecute. See NOLLE PROSEQUI.
NOLLE PROSEQUI
Definition: A legal notice that a lawsuit or prosecution has been abandoned. It is a formal entry on the record by the prosecuting officer by which he declares that he will not prosecute the case further, either as to some of the counts of the indictment, or as to part of a divisible count, or as to some of the persons accused, or altogether. It is a judicial determination in favor of accused and against his conviction, but it is not an acquittal, nor is it equivalent to a pardon.
Examples:
The first example illustrates the use of "prosequi" as a verb, meaning to pursue or prosecute a case. The second example shows the use of "nolle prosequi" as a legal notice that a case has been abandoned by the prosecution.