Philadelphia v. Costello

Citations

• 17 Pa. Super. 339
• 1901 Pa. Super. LEXIS 314

Syllabus

<p>Criminal law — Construction of penal statutes.</p> <p>In the construction of penal statutes where an act contains such an ambiguity as to leave a reasonable doubt of its meaning, it is the duty of the court not to inflict the penalty.</p> <p>A proviso in a penal statute which is favorable to the defendant is to be liberally interpreted in his behalf.</p> <p>Municipalities — Casting circulars into vestibules — “ Addressed envelopes.'1'1</p> <p>Where a city ordinance forbids the easting of paper, hand bills and circulars into the vestibules of dwellings, but excepts “ newspapers and addressed envelopes,” an envelope containing a circular, and addressed “To the Lady of the House,” is within the exception, and a person casting such an envelope into a vestibule cannot be compelled to pay the penalty provided for the violation of the ordinance.</p>