Selective Enforcement
/sɪˈlɛktɪv ɪnˈfɔːrsmənt/
Definitions
- (n.) The practice by authorities of enforcing laws or regulations in an uneven or discretionary manner, often raising concerns about fairness and equal protection under the law.
The defendant argued that the prosecutor's selective enforcement of the statute violated their constitutional rights.
Related terms
Commentary
Selective enforcement often implicates constitutional issues, especially under equal protection doctrines; drafters should clearly distinguish it from selective prosecution, which applies specifically to criminal charges.
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