Legal Definitions - penal statute

A penal statute is a law that defines a specific crime and sets out the corresponding punishment or fine for that crime. It is also known as a penal law or punitive statute.

For example, a law that makes it illegal to steal and sets out the punishment for theft is a penal statute. Another example is a law that makes it a crime to drive under the influence of alcohol and sets out the penalties for doing so.

Penal statutes are interpreted strictly by courts, meaning that they are not extended by implications, analogies, or equitable considerations. This means that the language of the statute must be clear and unambiguous, and any doubts or ambiguities are resolved in favor of the defendant.