Overbreadth

A term used to describe a statute which may legitimately proscribe certain conduct, but which also forbids or inhibits conduct that is constitutionally protected, e.g., by the First Amendment's safeguards of freedom of speech and press. See 305 F. Supp. 842, 851. An overbroad statute may be challenged by another who, though engaged in so-called core conduct which clearly falls within the permitted scope of the statute, will still be permitted to argue the rights of those "chilled" by the existence of the overbroad statute. See chilling effect; void for vagueness.