Overbreadth

overbreadth

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1 : the quality or state of being overbroad [a statute void for ]
2 : a doctrine in constitutional law: a law that prohibits protected conduct (as free speech) as part of its reach may be struck down as unconstitutional if the threat to protected activity is a substantial effect and if it cannot be clearly removed
;also
: a doctrine allowing a defendant accused of unprotected conduct to challenge a law for overbreadth esp. in the area of free speech