Statute · California Penal Code
Cal. Penal Code § 4 — PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Cal. Penal Code § 4
- Type
- Statute
- Source
- California Penal Code
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Current through
- Nov 2, 2026 (California Legislative Counsel)
The rule of the common law, that penal statutes are to be strictly construed, has no application to this Code. All its provisions are to be construed according to the fair import of their terms, with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.
Citator
Cal. Penal Code § 4 — PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS is in force in the current edition of the Code, and nothing recorded condemns it.
The rule of the common law, that penal statutes are to be strictly construed, has no application to this Code. All its provisions are to be construed according to the fair import of their terms, with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.