overarrest

Etymology

From over- + arrest.

overarrest means to arrest at a disproportionately high rate. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 100 out of 100.

verb

To arrest at a disproportionately high rate.“The emphasis on prosecution and conviction as metrics of success leads police and prosecutors to overarrest, overprosecute, and overpunish low-level drug and other crimes in many cases.”