retirar los cargos
/retiɾaɾ los kaɾɡos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "drop the case" is translated as retirar los cargos.
This phrase is used when an authority or a person officially decides to stop a legal prosecution against someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase retirar los cargos literally means to withdraw the charges.
Which one should you use?
While retirar los cargos is commonly used when referring to the formal removal of specific legal accusations, desistir de la denuncia focuses on the act of a complainant withdrawing their report.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that the case was dropped in the past tense, you can use the third-person singular form retiró los cargos to say "he/she/it dropped the charges".
How do you pronounce it?
/retiɾaɾ los kaɾɡos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking legal systems, once a formal 'denuncia' is filed, the victim cannot always simply 'retirar los cargos' to end the case, as the state may continue the prosecution regardless.
- The word cargo can refer to a legal accusation, but it is also the standard word for a professional 'position' or 'job title' in a company.
- While English speakers 'drop' a case, a Spanish speaker 'withdraws' it, using the verb retirar which implies a physical pulling away of something.
Examples in context
- El abogado decidió abandonar el caso debido a la falta de pruebas.The lawyer decided to drop the case due to lack of evidence.
- La fiscal decidió retirar los cargos contra él.The prosecutor decided to drop the charges against him.
- Si el testigo miente, van a retirar los cargos.If the witness lies, they are going to drop the charges.
- Espero que la policía decida retirar los cargos pronto.I hope the police decide to drop the charges soon.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a legal matter at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Crees que van a retirar los cargos contra mi hermano?Do you think they are going to drop the charges against my brother?
- LucíaEs posible si el abogado presenta nuevas pruebas.It is possible if the lawyer presents new evidence.
- AlejandroTengo mucho miedo de que no lo hagan.I am very afraid that they won't do it.
- LucíaTranquilo, Alejandro, todo se resolverá legalmente.Stay calm, Alejandro, everything will be resolved legally.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
