Legal Speak Made Easy

“Nolle prosequi”

A nolle prosequi (Latin for “do not want to pursue”) is a formal certificate issued by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) when it decides not to pursue criminal charges against a person accused of a crime. This does not mean the accused is innocent, only that the state has chosen not to proceed. That’s usually due to the NPA’s assessment that there is no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution. But it does open the door for the person laying the charges to consider instituting a private prosecution.

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