NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

What happens when the case is discontinued?

1. The defendant goes to trial

2. The charges are formally dropped

3. The case moves to a higher court

4. The defendant receives a fine

The correct answer is: The charges are formally dropped

When a case is discontinued, it means that the legal proceedings are brought to an end, resulting in the charges being formally dropped. This can occur for various reasons, such as insufficient evidence, the prosecution's decision to withdraw the case, or an agreement between parties. In this context, the formal dropping of charges signifies that the accused will not face trial or any further legal proceedings related to that specific case. This outcome can relieve the defendant from the stress and potential consequences of a trial. The other options present situations that do not align with what occurs when a case is discontinued. For instance, going to trial implies that the case is still active and moving forward, while moving to a higher court suggests that the case is being escalated rather than ended. Similarly, a fine would imply that a legal penalty is being issued, which does not occur when a case is discontinued.