[mc32]

That does not work in states like the PRC or Russia. Indeed, in order to live and go on day-to-day, you must break the law. And people do. But, then when the state wants you, they will selectively enforce the law. That's how it works. Let people break the law, who cares, but when we need to arrest them, lo and behold, look, they've broken several laws!

[Fnoord]

"Qu'on me donne six lignes écrites de la main du plus honnête homme, j'y trouverai de quoi le faire pendre." (If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.) [1] Attributed to Cardinal Richelieu though authenticity is disputed.

Anyway, dystopian films containing mass surveillance (such as Fahrenheit 451) also cover the very same practice.

[1] https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cardinal_Richelieu

[rexpop]

Is there a word for this specific legal entrapment?

[therein]

It's called selective enforcement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_enforcement

[rexpop]

I am so grateful for this link! I have been searching for this term on-and-off for years!

[ionised]

Injustice?

[passwd]

Future.