# 11 Del. C. § 203: § Â 203. Principles of construction

> Delaware · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S203

## Section

- **Citation:** 11 Del. C. § 203
- **Heading:** § Â 203. Principles of construction
- **Jurisdiction:** Delaware
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Delaware Code / Title 11 / Chapter 2 / Section 203

## Text

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.

## Nearby sections

- [11 Del. C. § 201 § Â
        201. General purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S201.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 202 § Â
        202. All offenses defined by statute.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S202.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 203 § Â
        203. Principles of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S203.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 204 § Â
        204. Territorial applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S204.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 205 § Â
        205. Time limitations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S205.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 206 § Â
        206. Method of prosecution when conduct constitutes more than 1 offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S206.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 207 § Â
        207. When prosecution is barred by former prosecution for the same offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S207.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 208 § Â
        208. When prosecution is barred by former prosecution for different offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S208.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 209 § Â
        209. Former prosecution in another jurisdiction; when a bar.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S209.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 210 § Â
        210. Former prosecution before court lacking jurisdiction or when fraudulently procured by defendant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S210.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 211 § Â
        211. Repeal of statutes as affecting existing liabilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S211.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 221 § Â
        221. Principles of definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S221.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 222 § Â
        222. General definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S222.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 223 § Â
        223. Words of gender or number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S223.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S203. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.