penal statute

1 definition found

penal statute - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  PENAL STATUTES. Those which inflict a penalty for the violation of some of 
  their provisions. 
       2. It is a rule of law that such statutes must be construed strictly. 1 
  Bl. Com. 88; Esp. on Pen. Actions, 1; Rosc. on Conv.; Cro. Jac. 415; 1 Com. 
  Dig. 444; 5 Com. Dig. 360; 1 Kent, Com. 467. They cannot, therefore, be 
  extended by their spirit or equity to other offences than those clearly 
  described and provided for. Paine, R. 32; 6 Cranch, 171.