case was dismissed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "case was dismissed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that a court has decided to terminate a case without a trial or further proceedings. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the judge announced that the case was dismissed due to lack of sufficient evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(This case was dismissed).

The New York Times

That case was dismissed.

The New York Times

Gerson's case was dismissed.

The New York Times - Books

The case was dismissed, without explanation.

The New Yorker

The case was dismissed for jurisdictional reasons.

The New York Times

The case was dismissed before trial.

The New York Times

The case was dismissed in September 2006.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The case was dismissed later that year.

The Guardian

(The case was dismissed and is currently being appealed).

The New Yorker

The case was dismissed after he performed community service.

Independent

That case was dismissed, but Mr. Bhandari has appealed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "case was dismissed", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the dismissal, whether it was due to lack of evidence, jurisdictional issues, or other legal reasons. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a dismissed case means the accused is innocent. A "case was dismissed" can occur for various reasons, including procedural errors or lack of prosecutorial resources, not necessarily an exoneration of guilt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case was dismissed" functions as a passive construction in legal contexts, indicating that a legal case has been terminated by a court. This termination can occur for numerous reasons, as seen in Ludwig, such as procedural errors or lack of sufficient evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "case was dismissed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the termination of a legal case. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, wiki, and formal business contexts. While it conveys the outcome, it doesn't inherently imply innocence or guilt but rather the cessation of legal proceedings for various reasons. Alternatives like "charges were dropped" or "matter was closed" can be used depending on the specific context. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide clarity regarding the reasons for dismissal to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charges were dropped

Focuses on the abandonment of specific charges rather than the entire case dismissal.

lawsuit was dropped

Specifically refers to the withdrawal or termination of a lawsuit.

claim was rejected

Emphasizes the denial of a particular claim within a legal context.

action was terminated

A more formal way of saying a legal process has ended.

matter was closed

Indicates that the issue or case has been resolved and no further action will be taken.

proceedings were discontinued

Highlights the cessation of legal proceedings.

suit was settled

Implies a resolution was reached between parties, leading to the end of the case.

indictment was quashed

Specifically refers to the annulment of a formal accusation by a grand jury.

petition was denied

Focuses on the rejection of a formal request made to a court or authority.

judgment was vacated

Indicates that a previous judgment has been nullified or set aside.

FAQs

What does it mean when a "case was dismissed"?

When a "case was dismissed", it means that a court has terminated the case without a trial or further proceedings. This can happen for various reasons, such as lack of evidence, procedural errors, or jurisdictional issues.

What are some reasons why a "case was dismissed"?

A "case was dismissed" for reasons including insufficient evidence, violations of due process, procedural errors, lack of jurisdiction, or the decision by the prosecution to drop the charges. The "charges were dropped".

Is "case was dismissed" the same as "not guilty"?

No, "case was dismissed" is not the same as a "not guilty" verdict. A dismissal means the case was terminated before a trial on the merits, while a "not guilty" verdict is a result of a trial where the defendant was found not to have committed the crime.

What can I say instead of "case was dismissed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""charges were dropped"", "lawsuit was dropped", or "matter was closed".