If an offense lacks a specified penalty, which clause provides the penalty?

• A. The minimum penalty clause
• B. The discretionary penalty clause
• C. The general penalty clause
• D. The civil penalty clause

Answer: (C)

When a statute doesn’t specify a penalty for an offense, the general penalty clause provides the default punishment. This clause ensures there is a known sanction by tying the offense to the standard penalties already established by law for offenses of the same type, keeping enforcement consistent and avoiding gaps. The other options aren’t the automatic source of punishment: a minimum penalty clause would only set a floor and may not establish the full sanction; a discretionary penalty clause would leave the exact penalty to the judge within a range rather than supplying a default; and a civil penalty clause applies to civil fines, which are not the same as criminal penalties for offenses.