has not prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has not prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that a person or entity has not taken legal action against someone for a crime or offense. Example: "The district attorney has not prosecuted the case due to lack of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The Crown Prosecution Service has not prosecuted any relative of more than 100 Britons who have gone abroad to end their lives at clinics run by the Swiss charity Dignitas, although the police have investigated many of these cases.

The Guardian

But the government has not prosecuted a single successful case for killings by armed contractors overseas.

The New York Times

Sudan denies paying any ransom money, but it has not prosecuted anyone in the abductions, despite promising to do so.

The New York Times

Although it recently established a truth commission, Brazil has not prosecuted a single military officer for crimes which took place during its 1964-85 dictatorship.

The New York Times

"Since the new modern slavery and labour trafficking provisions came into force in 2013, the department of immigration has not prosecuted one employer.

The Guardian

"The Department has not prosecuted, and as long as I'm Attorney General, will not prosecute any reporter for doing his or her job," Holder said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This is an administration that, with Eric Holder at the helm of the Justice Department, hasn't prosecuted these crimes in the last six years.

The Guardian - Money

Meanwhile, the cases the Justice Department hasn't prosecuted have led to billions of dollars in settlements.

Huffington Post

When Comey says that the government hasn't prosecuted people for gross negligence, he's using technical legal language to elide something much more frightening: In the United States of America, we do not prosecute rich and powerful people for serious crimes.

Huffington Post

Republican Michael Steele's advice for federal candidates - paint Afghanistan as a war of Obama's choosing that the US hasn't prosecuted and cannot be won - is the worst Independence Day message I can imagine.

Huffington Post

Yet Trading Standards have not prosecuted any psychics or companies ripping people off in this way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not prosecuted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what has not been prosecuted and for what alleged offense. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has not prosecuted" when the situation involves actions other than formal legal proceedings. "Prosecuted" specifically refers to taking someone to court for a crime. Use alternative terms like "investigated", "reviewed", or "sanctioned" if the context is broader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not prosecuted" functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of legal action taken against someone. Ludwig examples confirm that the phrase is commonly used to describe situations where authorities have chosen not to pursue a case.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has not prosecuted" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the absence of legal action against someone. According to Ludwig, it is primarily employed in news and media contexts with a neutral register. Common reasons for its use include reporting on cases where authorities have declined to press charges. While grammatically correct, remember to use it when the situation involves formal legal proceedings, and use alternative terms if the context is broader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not prosecute

Past tense version, emphasizing a decision made in the past.

has not charged

Focuses on the absence of formal charges being filed.

declined to prosecute

Highlights a deliberate decision not to proceed with prosecution.

failed to prosecute

Implies a lack of action where action was expected or required.

has not brought charges

Emphasizes the absence of any legal charges being initiated.

has not pursued legal action

A broader term covering any legal steps, not just prosecution.

has not taken to court

Informal way of saying legal action was not pursued.

let off the hook

Informal, suggesting someone avoided punishment or charges.

has not indicted

Focuses on the absence of a grand jury indictment.

has not brought to justice

Implies a failure to achieve justice through legal means.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has not prosecuted" a case?

It means that the relevant authority, such as a district attorney or government agency, has not initiated legal proceedings against an individual or entity for a suspected offense. This could be due to insufficient evidence, lack of resources, or other strategic considerations.

What are some reasons why a case "has not prosecuted"?

There are several reasons why a case "declined to prosecute". Some common reasons include: insufficient evidence to secure a conviction, the victim's unwillingness to press charges, legal technicalities that would prevent a successful prosecution, or a decision that pursuing the case is not in the public interest.

Is there a difference between "has not prosecuted" and "has not charged"?

Yes, although they are closely related, "has not charged" refers specifically to the act of formally accusing someone of a crime, while "has not prosecuted" implies that, even if charges were filed, the case "failed to prosecute", and the legal proceedings were not pursued to a trial.

What can I say instead of "has not prosecuted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "did not prosecute", "declined to prosecute", or "did not bring charges" to convey a similar meaning.