dropped charges

USAGE SUMMARY

"dropped charges" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to describe the decision to dismiss or withdraw criminal charges against someone. Example: The prosecutor announced that they were dropping all charges against the defendant due to lack of evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prosecutor dropped charges on Friday.

The New York Times

He dropped charges against 22 other suspects.

The Guardian

(The three others were closed after the victims dropped charges).

The New Yorker

Miami-Dade County prosecutors have dropped charges against him.

The New York Times

Prosecutors unexpectedly dropped charges on Friday against a prominent lawyer whose case had drawn nationwide attention.

The New York Times

The government eventually dropped charges against the supervisors and let them return to China.

The New Yorker

South Ocean dropped charges against Mr. Uddin but the police are still pursuing separate charges.

The New York Times

Prosecutors said they dropped charges of breach of trust against both men.

The New York Times

Several previous investigations of the company led to acquittals or dropped charges.

The New York Times

Prosecutors have dropped charges against an Elvis impersonator who says the two had feuded.

The New York Times

But increasingly accusers have dropped charges after reaching financial arrangements.Support for decriminalisation is not new.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly indicates who dropped the charges (e.g., "prosecutors dropped charges") and against whom. This prevents confusion about who was initially accused.

Common error

Avoid using "charges were dropped" without specifying who dropped them. This passive construction can obscure crucial information about agency and responsibility in the legal process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dropped charges" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., "prosecutors dropped charges"). It describes a specific action within the legal system, referring to the discontinuation of criminal charges. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase appears in various news and media reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropped charges" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the discontinuation of criminal charges in legal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in news and media, reflecting its relevance in reporting legal proceedings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who dropped the charges to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is neutral in tone, its formality may vary based on the source, leaning towards formal in legal documents and neutral in news articles. Alternatives such as "charges were dismissed" or "case was abandoned" can be used to add nuance or variation to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charges were dismissed

Focuses on the outcome for the charges, emphasizing their termination.

charges were withdrawn

Indicates the formal act of removing the charges from consideration.

prosecution was discontinued

Highlights the end of the legal pursuit by the prosecuting party.

government dropped the case

Highlights the role of the government in ceasing the legal proceedings.

case was abandoned

Implies that the case was given up, suggesting a lack of merit or resources.

proceedings were terminated

Focuses on the legal process being brought to an end.

prosecutors declined to prosecute

Emphasizes the decision made by the prosecutors not to proceed with the case.

case was thrown out of court

Indicates that the court rejected the case, often due to insufficient evidence.

charges were nullified

Suggests that the charges were rendered invalid or without legal effect.

no further action was taken

Emphasizes the lack of continuation in the legal process.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "dropped charges"?

When someone says "dropped charges", it means that the prosecutor has decided to discontinue the criminal case against the defendant. This can happen for several reasons, such as lack of evidence or witness issues.

What are some alternatives to saying "dropped charges"?

You can use alternatives such as "charges were dismissed", "case was abandoned", or "prosecution was discontinued" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "charges were dropped" or "prosecutors dropped charges"?

It is generally better to say "prosecutors dropped charges" because it is more specific and clarifies who made the decision. The passive voice construction "charges were dropped" can be vague.

What happens after the prosecutor "dropped charges"?

After the prosecutor has "dropped charges", the defendant is generally released from custody and no longer has to face the criminal charges. However, in some cases, the prosecutor can refile the charges at a later date if new evidence emerges.