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Simple English definitions for legal terms
selective enforcement
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A quick definition of selective enforcement:
Selective enforcement is when law enforcement officers have the power to choose when and where to enforce certain laws. This means they can decide who to punish or prosecute based on factors like race, gender, or political beliefs. It's like a game where the rules are not always fair, and some people get to play by different rules than others. This is not a good thing, and it goes against the idea that everyone should be treated equally under the law.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Selective enforcement is when law enforcement officers use their discretion to choose when and where to enforce certain laws. This can include singling out a person for punishment because they belong to a protected group or have exercised a constitutional right.
For example, a police officer may choose to enforce a curfew law only on certain individuals, such as those who belong to a particular race or ethnicity. This is a form of selective enforcement and is illegal.
Another example of selective enforcement is when a government agency chooses to enforce a regulation only against certain businesses or individuals, while ignoring others who are violating the same regulation. This can be seen as discriminatory and unfair.
Overall, selective enforcement undermines the rule of law and can lead to unequal treatment under the law. It is important for law enforcement agencies to enforce laws fairly and impartially, without discrimination or bias.