Overcharging

"Overcharging" refers to a prosecutor bringing excessive or unwarranted charges against a defendant in a criminal case. This can occur when a prosecutor deliberately or recklessly charges someone with more crimes or more serious crimes than the evidence supports. The goal of overcharging may be to increase the chances of a conviction, to pressure the defendant into accepting a plea bargain, or to increase the potential sentence in the event of a conviction. Prosecutor misconduct of this type can undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system and result in wrongful convictions.