Clarity and the criminal law

Slapper, Gary (2007). Clarity and the criminal law. Journal of Criminal Law, 71(6) pp. 475–477.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1350/jcla.2007.71.6.475

Abstract

In 1873, Baron Martin stated that 'The criminal law ought to be reasonable and intelligible' (R v Middleton (1873) L.R. 2 Crown Ca. Res. 57). That proposition is just as potent today as when it was made. As the branch of law incorporating the ultimate powers of control which the state exercises over citizens, criminal law should be consonant with common sense and be perfectly clear to the public. It is difficult to argue that current law on drugs is clear, coherent, and understood by the public.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 20955
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 0022-0183
• Keywords
• crime; criminal law; drugs; legislation
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) > Law
  Faculty of Business and Law (FBL)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2007 Vathek Publishing Ltd
• Depositing User
• Gary Slapper