rule of lenity

rule of lenity (len-[schwa]-tee). The judicial doctrine holding that a court, in construing an ambiguous criminal statute that sets out multiple or inconsistent punishments, should resolve the ambiguity in favor of the more lenient punishment. — Also termed lenity rule. [Cases: Statutes 241(1).]

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词条贡献者

法律翻译Scott，毕业于新加坡知名法学院，专注翻译各类与豪华住宅买卖有关的法律文件。