waiving prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waiving prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts where a party decides to forgo or relinquish the right to pursue legal action against someone. Example: "The district attorney announced that they would be waiving prosecution in light of new evidence that emerged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The program is expected to coax $175 million out of delinquent taxpayers by offering a two-point drop in interest on back taxes and by waiving prosecution or sanctions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mann, whose proposal to waive prosecution for people with information about abuse was rejected by MPs last month, urged the government to reconsider the idea.

The Guardian

Desperate to raise quick cash, many states have been offering amnesties that waive prosecution, penalties and even some interest (see box).

Forbes

Defense lawyers, at the beginning of the case, waived the prosecution's deadline for reaching an indictment.

The New York Times

According to the Swiss press, the government has demanded that the United States waive criminal prosecutions of the banks, which hold between $680 billion and $800 billion in secret assets from around the world.

The New York Times

Mr. Harris's lawyer, Richard Barbuto, did not return calls seeking comment but previously said that his client would waive immunity from prosecution.

The New York Times

Around the country, a few states still have mandatory sequestration laws, which can be waived if the prosecution and defense agree, said Tom Munsterman, director of the Center for Jury Studies at the National Center for State Courts, a research group in Arlington, Va.

The New York Times

Under New York law, a person who testifies before a state grand jury in an investigation cannot be charged with a crime arising from that investigation unless he first waives his immunity from prosecution.

The New York Times

The general counsel of the city's Department of Transportation, who earlier this year had refused to waive his immunity from prosecution and testify before a Bronx grand jury, resigned yesterday, city officials said.

The New York Times

There is so much evidence being massed against Sarkozy that Eva Joly, a former anti-terrorist judge who is now standing against him as Green party candidate for the presidency, said he should waive his immunity from prosecution immediately.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes when a diplomat is accused of a serious offence, his or her government will waive immunity, allowing a prosecution to go ahead.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "waiving prosecution", ensure the context clearly indicates who is relinquishing the right to prosecute and why. Be specific about any conditions attached to the waiver.

Common error

Do not confuse "waiving prosecution" with granting immunity. Waiving prosecution means choosing not to prosecute in a specific instance, while immunity offers broader protection from prosecution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waiving prosecution" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the action of voluntarily relinquishing the right to pursue legal charges. As Ludwig AI explains, it is usable in legal contexts. For example, a prosecutor might waive prosecution in exchange for cooperation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waiving prosecution" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of forgoing legal charges, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is relinquishing the right to prosecute and under what conditions. Related phrases include "dropping charges" and "forgoing prosecution". Avoid confusing this term with "granting immunity", which offers broader legal protection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgoing prosecution

A more formal way of saying "waiving prosecution", emphasizing the act of abstaining from legal action.

not pursuing charges

A straightforward way of saying legal action will not be taken.

dropping charges

Focuses on the act of discontinuing legal proceedings against someone.

declining to prosecute

Highlights the decision not to initiate legal proceedings.

refraining from prosecuting

Similar to "declining to prosecute", but implies a conscious choice to abstain.

granting immunity from prosecution

Emphasizes the legal protection provided, preventing prosecution.

offering amnesty

Suggests a broader pardon, potentially including many individuals or offenses.

abandoning the case

Implies a complete cessation of efforts related to the prosecution.

suspending prosecution

Indicates a temporary halt to legal proceedings, rather than a complete waiver.

shelving the case

An informal way to say that the case is being put aside and not actively pursued.

FAQs

What does "waiving prosecution" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "waiving prosecution" means choosing not to pursue legal charges against someone, even when there might be sufficient evidence to do so. This decision is typically made by the prosecuting authority.

When might a prosecutor consider "waiving prosecution"?

A prosecutor might consider "waiving prosecution" when there's a lack of resources, the offense is minor, the defendant cooperates with authorities, or there's a belief that prosecution would not be in the public interest.

What are some alternatives to "waiving prosecution"?

Alternatives to "waiving prosecution" include "dropping charges", "forgoing prosecution", or "declining to prosecute", depending on the specific context.

How does "waiving prosecution" differ from granting immunity?

"Waiving prosecution" is a specific decision not to prosecute in a particular instance, whereas granting immunity provides broader protection from prosecution, often in exchange for testimony or cooperation.