Rule of lenity

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-004371",
  "term": "Rule of lenity",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A doctrine requiring that ambiguous criminal statutes be interpreted in favor of the defendant. When a statute is open to more than one reasonable interpretation, the court must choose the one that imposes the lesser penalty or restricts the scope of the crime. This principle serves to provide fair warning to individuals about what conduct is prohibited and to limit judicial discretion in defining criminal offenses.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/rule-of-lenity/"
}