Is nolle the same as expunged and dropped?

No, "nolle" (short for "nolle prosequi") is not the same as expunged or dropped. A nolle indicates that the prosecutor has decided not to pursue the case further, but it does not erase the charges from the person's record. Expungement refers to the legal process of removing a conviction or arrest from a person's record entirely. Dropped charges simply mean that the prosecution has chosen not to proceed, but they may still appear on the individual's criminal history unless expunged.