selective prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "selective prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the practice of prosecuting certain individuals or groups while ignoring others, often based on discriminatory factors. Example: "The defendant argued that the charges against him were a result of selective prosecution, as similar cases had not been pursued with the same vigor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also creates an ideal climate for partisan selective prosecution.

The New York Times

We would never tolerate racial profiling or selective prosecution.

The New York Times

Among other things, it creates obvious opportunities for selective prosecution.

The Washington Post

Our holding generally deprives deportable aliens of the defense of selective prosecution.

Cornell University

Mr. Catterson dismissed charges of selective prosecution in both these cases.

The New York Times

The argument about selective prosecution was novel insofar as it relates to the Taliban.

The New York Times

Evan Stewart, a lawyer representing Mr. Sihpol, said that Mr. Spitzer's case amounted to selective prosecution.

The New York Times

But his 2005 conviction for tax fraud reeked of selective prosecution.

The New York Times

To this day there are those who talk of a setup or selective prosecution.

The New York Times

Mr. Nahmias noted that several defendants had already filed motions claiming selective prosecution and that the court had rejected them.

The New York Times

The different outcomes in the two cases has helped fuel charges of racism and selective prosecution by Dr. Lee's supporters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing "selective prosecution", provide specific examples of similarly situated individuals who were not prosecuted to demonstrate the discriminatory nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid claiming "selective prosecution" based solely on the outcome of a case. You must demonstrate that the decision to prosecute was motivated by bias or prejudice, not simply that the defendant was found guilty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "selective prosecution" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where the government prosecutes individuals or groups based on discriminatory factors, rather than applying the law equally. Ludwig confirms its validity in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "selective prosecution" is a well-established and frequently used term, particularly in legal and political discussions. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically sound and carries a clear meaning: the discriminatory enforcement of laws. Its primary function is to highlight potential injustices and biases within the legal system. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, reflecting its relevance to current events and public discourse. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide concrete examples and evidence to support claims of bias, avoiding generalizations or assumptions based solely on case outcomes. Alternatives such as "discriminatory prosecution" or "biased prosecution" can offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discriminatory prosecution

Emphasizes the discriminatory aspect of the prosecution process.

biased prosecution

Highlights the prejudice or favoritism influencing the decision to prosecute.

targeted legal action

Focuses on the deliberate targeting of specific individuals or groups.

politically motivated prosecution

Indicates that the prosecution is driven by political considerations rather than legal merit.

unequal application of the law

Refers to the law being applied unfairly or inconsistently.

selective enforcement

Highlights the discretionary decision to enforce laws against some but not others.

partial justice

Suggests that justice is not being applied impartially or completely.

preferential prosecution

Implies that some individuals or groups are prosecuted more readily than others.

unfair prosecution

Broadly describes a prosecution that is unjust or inequitable.

manipulated prosecution

Indicates that the prosecution has been improperly influenced or controlled.

FAQs

What does "selective prosecution" mean in legal terms?

"Selective prosecution" refers to the discriminatory enforcement of laws, where an individual or group is prosecuted while others who have committed similar offenses are not. It often involves proving that the decision to prosecute was based on factors such as race, religion, or political affiliation.

How can a defendant prove "selective prosecution"?

Proving "selective prosecution" requires demonstrating that similarly situated individuals were not prosecuted and that the decision to prosecute the defendant was based on discriminatory motives. This often involves presenting statistical evidence or other evidence of discriminatory intent.

What are some "alternatives to selective prosecution" that describe biased legal action?

Alternatives include "discriminatory prosecution", "biased prosecution", or "politically motivated prosecution", which each emphasize different aspects of the unfair legal process.

What is the difference between "selective prosecution" and "prosecutorial misconduct"?

"Selective prosecution" focuses on the discriminatory decision to prosecute, while "prosecutorial misconduct" refers to improper or illegal actions by the prosecutor during the legal proceedings, such as withholding evidence or making false statements.