In U.S. federal criminal law, a defendant who claims vindictive prosecution must show that the prosecutor acted with genuine animus toward the defendant and pursued charges to punish the defendant for exercising a protected right.
November 19, 2025
high
legal_standard
Describes the legal elements required to prove a vindictive prosecution claim in federal cases.
In U.S. federal criminal law, a claim of vindictive prosecution requires a defendant to show that a prosecutor acted with 'genuine animus' toward the defendant and pursued charges to punish the defendant for exercising a legally protected right.
November 19, 2025
high
legal
Legal standard used to seek dismissal of an indictment on grounds that prosecution was retaliatory for protected conduct.
In U.S. federal criminal law, a selective prosecution claim requires a defendant to show that the government was motivated by a discriminatory purpose, which can be demonstrated by proving that similarly situated individuals were not prosecuted or that the decision to bring charges was invidious or made in bad faith.
November 19, 2025
high
legal
Legal standard for challenging an indictment on the basis that prosecutorial decisions were discriminatorily applied.
Certain federal criminal charges in the United States can carry a possible sentence of death.
October 16, 2025
high
legal
U.S. federal criminal sentencing