What principle does the Rule of Leniency enforce in cases of ambiguity in statutes?

The Rule of Leniency operates under the principle that when there is ambiguity in a criminal statute, that ambiguity must be resolved in favor of the defendant. This doctrine is founded on the understanding that individuals should not be punished under a law that is unclear or ambiguous regarding its meaning or application. The rationale is rooted in the concept of legality, or nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege, which means that one cannot be prosecuted for an act that is not clearly defined as a crime.

Applying this rule helps ensure fair notice and protects the rights of individuals by preventing vague laws from being used to impose penalties arbitrarily. Therefore, in cases where the language of a statute is not clear, courts are required to interpret those ambiguities in a way that benefits the defendant, aligning with the foundational principles of justice and due process. This approach mitigates the risk of wrongful convictions that could arise from prosecutorial overreach based on unclear statutory language.