A constitutional doctrine that invalidates laws that restrict substantially more speech or conduct than necessary to achieve the government's legitimate purpose. It allows facial challenges to laws that sweep too broadly, even if they could be applied constitutionally in some cases.
From Old English 'ofer' (over, beyond) and 'braed' (breadth, width). The compound developed in 20th-century First Amendment jurisprudence to describe laws whose scope extends too far beyond their intended target, 'sweeping with too broad a brush.'
The overbreadth doctrine creates a rare exception to normal standing rules, allowing someone whose own speech isn't protected to challenge a law because it might silence others! This reflects the special concern that overly broad laws create a 'chilling effect,' deterring protected speech even when not directly enforced, making the doctrine a crucial guardian of First Amendment freedoms.
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