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

译者Terris，毕业于国内一流的高级翻译学院，擅长翻译各种与政府合同相关的法律文件。