Penal law not strictly construed · as in force on May 31, 2026
§ 5.00 Penal law not strictly construed.
The general rule that a penal statute is to be strictly construed does not apply to this chapter, but the provisions herein must be construed according to the fair import of their terms to promote justice and effect the objects of the law.
The old rule that criminal statutes must be read strictly does not apply to the Penal Law. ★ Its provisions are read by the fair meaning of their words, to promote justice and carry out the law's purposes.
Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.
This provision appears in Volume 4 — The Court Clerk: Penal Law; Volume 1 — The Court Officer in Plain English; Volume 3 — The Court Officer: Penal Law; Volume 3 — Your Career: Penal Law in Plain English.