The festival lights have dimmed, the music has faded, and the crowds have gone home. But for some attendees of the Fort Lauderdale Flagler Village Festival (FQF), the celebration left behind an unwanted souvenir: a criminal charge.
If you were arrested or cited during the festival, you are likely dealing with an overwhelming amount of stress, court dates, and anxiety about your future. However, there is a silver lining in Florida’s legal system that might allow you to resolve your case without a conviction—and ultimately clear your record. It’s called a Nolle Prosequi, and it is the first critical step toward moving past a festival mishap.
What is a “Nolle Prosequi”?
Often abbreviated as “Nolle Prosq” or simply “Nolle,” this Latin phrase translates to “we shall no longer prosecute.”
In practical terms, a Nolle Prosequi is a formal notice filed by the state prosecutor announcing that they are voluntarily dropping the charges against you. Unlike a dismissal by a judge, a Nolle Prosequi means the State Attorney’s Office has reviewed your case and decided not to move forward with a trial.
Why Prosecutors Choose Not to Prosecute Fest Charges
During massive events like FQF, local law enforcement works overtime, often leading to rushed arrests, minor infractions treated heavily, or administrative overstatements. A prosecutor might file a Nolle Prosequi for several reasons:
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Lack of Evidence: The bodycam footage or witness statements don’t quite back up the initial police report.
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Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD): You successfully completed a program (such as community service or a defense course) tailored for first-time offenders.
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Extenuating Circumstances: Your defense attorney successfully negotiated a resolution showing that a formal prosecution does not serve the interest of justice.
The Catch: A Dropped Charge is Still a Public Record
There is a common misconception that when a prosecutor drops your charges, your record is automatically wiped clean. Unfortunately, this is not true.
A Nolle Prosequi resolves the criminal case in your favor, but the paper trail remains. If someone runs a background check on you tomorrow, they will still see:
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The date of your arrest or citation.
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The original charges filed against you (e.g., trespass, disorderly conduct, or possession).
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The disposition showing the case was dropped.
To landlords, employers, and universities, an arrest record can still carry a negative stigma, regardless of the “dropped” status. To truly clean up your FQF record, you must take the next legal step.
Cleaning Your Record: Expungement vs. Sealing
In Florida, because your case ended in a Nolle Prosequi without an adjudication of guilt, you are likely eligible to have the record permanently removed from public view. This is done through Expungement.
| Action | What It Means | Who Can See It? |
| Sealing | The record is hidden from the public, but the physical files still exist within the legal system. | Highly restricted government and law enforcement agencies only. |
| Expungement | The physical and electronic records are ordered by a judge to be destroyed by the agencies holding them. | Virtually no one, outside of a tiny handful of federal/state agencies for high-security clearances. |
Note: Florida law generally allows you to expunge a record if the charges were dropped, provided you have never been convicted of a criminal offense in Florida before, and you haven’t previously sealed or expunged another record.
Steps to Take After an FQF Arrest
If you are looking at an open charge from the festival, or if your charges were recently dropped and you want to clean up the aftermath, here is the roadmap to reclaiming your clean slate:
1. Secure Legal Representation Immediately
Do not wait for your court date to see what happens. An experienced criminal defense attorney can interface with the State Attorney’s Office early on to push for a Nolle Prosequi before formal charges are even filed.
2. Complete All Agreements
If your Nolle Prosequi is contingent on a diversion program or paying restitution, complete those terms meticulously and ahead of schedule.
3. File for an Expungement
Once the prosecutor officially enters the Nolle Prosequi, your attorney can begin the multi-month process of applying for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and petitioning the court to destroy the record.
Let GoCrest Law Help You Move Forward
An arrest at a festival shouldn’t dictate the trajectory of your professional and personal life. At GoCrest Law, we understand that good people sometimes find themselves in chaotic situations. We specialize in navigating the local court systems to secure favorable outcomes—like a Nolle Prosequi—and we stick by your side until your record is completely cleared.
Don’t let a festival weekend follow you for years to come. Contact GoCrest Law today for a confidential consultation, and let’s start cleaning up your record.
