New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 5.00 — Penal law not strictly construed

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 5: General Rules of Construction and Application, New York Penal Law.

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 5.00

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 5.00Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

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.

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