Delaware Code

11 Del. C. § 203 (2026)

Principles of construction

✓ current as of May 2026

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The general rule that a penal statute is to be strictly construed does not apply to this Criminal Code, but the provisions herein must be construed according to the fair import of their terms to promote justice and effect the purposes of the law, as stated in § 201 of this title.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 203; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1;

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1975–2017 · leading case: State v. Bridgers, 988 A.2d 939 (Del. Super. Ct. 2007).

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State v. Bridgers, 988 A.2d 939 (Del. Super. Ct. 2007). “§ 201 (2006) states, ''[t]he general purposes of this Criminal Code are: (1) To proscribe conduct which unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens harm to individual or public interests; (2) To give warning of the nature of the conduct proscribed and of the sentences…”

Fuentes v. State, 349 A.2d 1 (Del. 1975). · cites it 2× “The statutory construction here made is consonant with the rules of construction set forth in 11 Del.C. § 203. 10 Accordingly, we hold that the jury instruction here under attack was prejudicial error and the judgment below must be reversed and the cause remanded.”

Zambrana v. State, 118 A.3d 773 (Del. 2015). “2d at 293 (quoting 11 Del. C. § 203). 18 11 Del. C. § 221(c).”

State v. O'Dell (Del. Super. Ct. 2017). · cites it 2× “34 11 Del. C. § 203. 33 No. 0901008717, 2010 WL 5692095 , at * (Del.”

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