dismissal
dis-MIS-uhl
/dɪsˈmɪs.əl/
The formal termination of a legal case or charge by a judge, resulting in no conviction or penalty.
A dismissal is the ultimate victory in traffic court; it means the charge is wiped away completely, as if it never happened, and no points are added to your license.
The story behind the word. Dismissal comes from the Latin 'dimittere', meaning 'to send away' or 'to release'. It is formed by combining 'dis-' (apart) and 'mittere' (to send). In ancient courts, when a judge dismissed a case, they were literally telling the defendant and the charges to 'go away in different directions'—you are free to leave.
Word relationships
- discharge: Discharge often refers to releasing someone from custody or a duty, while dismissal specifically refers to throwing out a legal charge.
- acquittal: An acquittal is a finding of 'not guilty' after a full trial, whereas a dismissal can happen before a trial even begins, often due to procedural errors.
- conviction: A conviction is a formal declaration of guilt, resulting in penalties, whereas a dismissal removes the charges entirely.
Commonly confused with
- dismissal (employment): In employment, dismissal means being fired from a job, while in law, it means your legal charges are thrown out.
Word family
- dismiss (verb): To formally reject or throw out a legal case.
Collocations
- seek a dismissal
- order of dismissal
- dismissal of charges
- voluntary dismissal
Example sentences
- "Due to a technical error in how the radar speed was recorded, the attorney successfully argued for a complete dismissal of the case." A lawyer celebrating a successful defense.
- "Once you submit proof of completing the defensive driving course, the clerk will process the dismissal of your citation." A court clerk explaining the outcome of a completed deferral.
Memory hook
Think of a school bell ringing for 'dismissal'—you are finally free to go home and leave the classroom behind. Dismissal means the judge sends the charges away.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to a suspension of a license, as a dismissal applies to the charge itself, not the driving privilege.
Fun facts
- A common myth is that any spelling mistake on a ticket leads to an automatic dismissal. In reality, judges only dismiss tickets for material errors that affect your constitutional rights.
Related words
Also appears in
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