Legal Definitions - overcharge

Definition: To charge more than the advertised or posted price. This can happen when a business charges more than what the government says is allowed. It can also happen when a business charges twice for the same thing.

Examples:

• A gas station charges $5.00 per gallon of gas, but the government says they can only charge $4.00 per gallon. This is an overcharge.
• A landlord charges a tenant for rent twice in one month. This is also an overcharge.

These examples show how a business can charge more than what is allowed or fair. It is important for consumers to know their rights and report any overcharges to the appropriate authorities.

Another example of overcharge is when a prosecutor tries to charge someone with more serious crimes than what the facts support. For instance, if someone is accused of beating up another person, the prosecutor may try to charge them with both assault and first-degree assault. However, this may not be allowed if the underlying facts are too similar. This is called the merger doctrine.