Which term describes the prosecutor's formal decision to drop charges in a case before trial?

Which term describes the prosecutor's formal decision to drop charges in a case before trial?

• A. Plea bargain
• B. Nolle Prosequi
• C. Motion to suppress
• D. Judicial review

Answer: (B)

Nolle prosequi is the formal term for when a prosecutor decides to drop charges before trial. It’s a formal declaration to the court that the case will not be pursued on those charges, effectively pausing or ending the prosecution for now. This is the prosecutor’s action, unrelated to how a case might be resolved through a defendant’s plea or through a defense motion. A plea bargain, by contrast, involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty (often in exchange for lighter charges or sentencing), not the prosecutor ceasing prosecution. A motion to suppress is a defense request to exclude evidence from being used at trial, and judicial review is the court evaluating the legality or constitutionality of laws or actions, not the prosecutor’s decision to drop charges.

Nolle prosequi is the formal term for when a prosecutor decides to drop charges before trial. It’s a formal declaration to the court that the case will not be pursued on those charges, effectively pausing or ending the prosecution for now. This is the prosecutor’s action, unrelated to how a case might be resolved through a defendant’s plea or through a defense motion.

A plea bargain, by contrast, involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty (often in exchange for lighter charges or sentencing), not the prosecutor ceasing prosecution. A motion to suppress is a defense request to exclude evidence from being used at trial, and judicial review is the court evaluating the legality or constitutionality of laws or actions, not the prosecutor’s decision to drop charges.