shelved case
[/ʃɛlvd keɪs/]
nounpl: shelved cases
caso arquivado
1. A legal case that has been temporarily or permanently postponed, suspended, or set aside without being resolved or dismissed
The detective's shelved case finally got reopened after new evidence was discovered.
O caso arquivado do detetive foi finalmente reaberto após novas evidências serem descobertas.
2. An investigation or project that has been put on hold indefinitely due to lack of resources, evidence, or priority
Many shelved cases remain in the cold case files of police departments across the country.
Muitos casos arquivados permanecem nos arquivos de casos não resolvidos dos departamentos de polícia do país.
In both American and Brazilian legal systems, shelved cases represent a significant challenge in the justice system. In the USA, these 'cold cases' have become culturally significant through numerous true crime documentaries and TV shows. In Brazil, the phenomenon reflects challenges in the justice system including resource limitations and bureaucratic backlogs. The term carries implications of justice delayed or potentially denied, making it a matter of public concern and media interest in both cultures.
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