Criminal Record and Dismissal Without Prejudice California law allows a case file and arrest record to remain a public record following dismissal without prejudice. However, as there was no trial, there is no conviction on record if the final result was a voluntary dismissal without prejudice.
'Without prejudice' is a legal term which is often used during negotiations to imply that any liability or fault cannot be attached to a statement or a proposed offer. Using the term means that the statement or offer cannot be used as evidence in court if a settlement cannot be reached.
Whereas a case that is dismissed “with prejudice” is dismissed permanently, a case that is dismissed “without prejudice” is only dismissed temporarily. This temporary dismissal means that the plaintiff is allowed to re-file charges, alter the claim, or bring the case to another court.
MRE 106 states: “If a party introduces part of a writing or recorded statement, any other party may introduce the remainder, or so much thereof as is relevant to the portion introduced, if the remainder or portion thereof offered completes the statement or renders it more understandable.”
The purpose and intended effect of the words “without prejudice” is to prohibit a party from using the doctrine of res judicata (from the Latin, “a thing decided”) in any later actions on the subject matter.
A case dismissed with prejudice is over and done with, once and for all, and can't be brought back to court. A case dismissed without prejudice means the opposite. It's not dismissed forever. The person whose case it is can try again.
If the case is dismissed without prejudice, prosecutors will have another two years to refile before the statute of limitations expires. You can contact our California criminal defense lawyers for a case review.
If the court specifies that the dismissal of an action commenced within the time prescribed therefor, or any claim therein, is without prejudice, it may also specify in its order that a new action based on the same claim may be commenced within one year or less after such dismissal.
Rule 2.313 - Failure to Serve Disclosure or to Provide or to Permit Discovery; Sanctions (A) Motion for Order Compelling Disclosure or Discovery. A party, on reasonable notice to other parties and all persons affected, may apply for an order compelling disclosure or discovery as follows: (1) Appropriate Court.
Dismissal without prejudice means that the judge dismissed the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case without damaging their right to have their matter heard in court later. A prosecutor may ask to withdraw the case against a person to have more time to make a case stronger, find more evidence or question other witnesses.