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In Law / College | 2025-07-06

Explain the rule of lenity. If there is ambiguity in the statute, what should the court do in resolving the ambiguity for the criminal defendant?

Asked by deatonemma14

Answer (2)

The rule of lenity requires that ambiguous criminal statutes be interpreted in favor of the defendant, ensuring fair warning of criminal conduct. Courts resolve ambiguity by first seeking a clearer interpretation and, if none exists, favoring the defendant. This principle protects individuals from arbitrary enforcement of laws. ;

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-07

The rule of lenity mandates that if a criminal statute is ambiguous, it must be interpreted in favor of the defendant, ensuring fairness and clarity in the law. Courts first attempt to find a clear meaning, and if they cannot, they must favor the interpretation that benefits the defendant. This principle protects individuals from vague laws that could lead to unjust enforcement.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-08-23

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