Rule of lenity - Wikipedia The rule of lenity, also called the rule of strict construction, is a principle in criminal law that requires a court to interpret an ambiguous or unclear criminal statute in the way that is most favorable to the defendant
rule of lenity | Wex | US Law | LII Legal Information Institute The rule of lenity is a principle used in criminal law, also called rule of strict construction, stating that when a law is unclear or ambiguous, the court should apply it in the way that is most favorable to the defendant, or to construe the statute against the state
Lenity - definition of lenity by The Free Dictionary The condition or quality of being lenient; leniency: "His Majesty gave many marks of his great lenity, often endeavoring to extenuate your crimes" (Jonathan Swift)
Rule of Lenity Law and Legal Definition | USLegal, Inc. Rule of Lenity is a judicial doctrine requiring that those ambiguities in a criminal statute relating to prohibition and penalties be resolved in favor of the defendant if it is not contrary to legislative intent
What Is a Rule of Lenity Example in Criminal Law? - LegalClarity Courts are tasked with deciphering legislative intent, and the rule of lenity ensures that when ambiguity persists, the interpretation favoring the defendant is adopted, preventing penalties the legislature did not explicitly intend