Vagueness In Criminal Law

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Vagueness in criminal law is a “declaration that a law is invalid because it is not sufficiently clear”. Whereas, the due process clause promised that before “depriving a citizen of life, liberty or property, the government must follow fair procedures” ("Vagueness doctrine | Wex Legal Dictionary / Encyclopedia | LII / Legal Information Institute," n.d.). ‘Constitutional rule requires criminal laws to state explicitly and definitely what conduct is punishable’("Due Process | Wex Legal Dictionary / Encyclopedia | LII / Legal Information Institute," n.d.). Therefore, vagueness doctrine rests on the due process clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. By requiring fair notice of what is punishable and what is not,