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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

selective prosecution

Read a random definition: standing aside a juror

A quick definition of selective prosecution:

Selective prosecution is when a prosecutor chooses to bring criminal charges against someone based on their own personal decision, rather than following the usual procedures of their office. This is not fair if the prosecutor is singling out one person for prosecution while others in similar situations are not being prosecuted. This is against the law and violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Selective prosecution is the practice of a prosecutor choosing to bring criminal charges against someone based on their personal discretion, rather than following the normal procedures of the prosecuting authority's office. This can be considered a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment if the defendant is singled out for prosecution while others in similar situations have not been prosecuted, and the prosecutor's reasons for doing so are not valid.

One example of selective prosecution is when a prosecutor chooses to bring charges against a person of a certain race or ethnicity, while ignoring similar behavior by people of other races or ethnicities. For instance, if a prosecutor only brings drug charges against Black people in a certain neighborhood, while ignoring drug use by white people in the same area, this would be considered selective prosecution.

Another example is when a prosecutor chooses to bring charges against a political opponent or someone who has criticized them, while ignoring similar behavior by their allies or supporters. This can be seen as an abuse of power and a violation of the defendant's rights.

These examples illustrate how selective prosecution can be used to unfairly target certain individuals or groups, while allowing others to escape punishment for similar behavior. This undermines the principles of fairness and equality under the law, and can erode public trust in the justice system.

selective incorporation | selective prospectivity

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choosingpeace
15:41
wait would yall pick CLS or penn?
I didn't apply to either but I would pick penn
15:42
penn bc im in state
no no it's not. But I wouldn't clerk conservative, so idk about Chi #s for myself
cumsock
15:42
Penn
texaslawhopefully
15:42
I guess that's fair. From what I've heard UChicago for conservatives is on par w/ HYS for clerkships
texaslawhopefully
15:42
not sure about for liberals
cumsock
15:43
They’re very similar tho
cumsock
15:43
Both t6 ivies
Is that NYU disrespect???? NYU out the t-6?
15:44
Penn because my college friends who mentored me go there
lilypadfrog
15:45
NYU is a t6 unless they don’t accept me and then idgaf what they’re ranked
texaslawhopefully
15:46
That's the best mentality
texaslawhopefully
15:46
If I get into UChicago it will be CYS
lilypadfrog
15:48
waspy I’m sure he meant to clarify that CYS is Cornell Yale Stanford
yeah just making sure
I look really good in blue tho
obviously cornell is t3
cumsock
15:49
someone from my undergrad is going to columbia for a masters in social work and the way they are talking to me im pretty sure they think thats as hard to get accepted to as columbia law
every prof at cornell glazes it so hard
GreyCeaselessMammoth
15:50
i know so many heads going to various schools for random masters degrees and its like babe its not the sameeee
cumsock
15:50
"The acceptance rate for the Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) program at Columbia University is 74%" does he know?
15:50
@cumsock: some battles are won by avoiding fighting them
cumsock
15:51
im not i just wish normies knew its not the same
Trismegistus
15:51
i need chicago so badly
15:51
for suresies
lilypadfrog
15:52
llama do you think we’re besties? I kinda think we’re besties
JumpySubsequentDolphin
15:52
@GreyCeaselessMammoth: PLS I know a girl who got a master’s at Columbia for some random niche thing and she told EVERYBODY SHES GOING TO COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL
GreyCeaselessMammoth
15:52
WHAT???
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