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Rh ARK.]

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LAMAN V. MCCORD

W. F. LAMAN, ET AL V. ROBERT S. MCCORD ET AL 5-4598

432 S.W. 2d 753 Opinion Delivered October 21, 1968

1. Statutes—Construction & Operation—Penal Provision as Affecting Construction.—Provision that willful violation of Freedom of Information Act is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or jail sentence does not make the entire statute penal thereby requiring its strict construction. 2. Statutes—Construction & Operation—Acts For Public Benefit—Whether a statute should be construed narrowly or broadly depends upon interests with which statute deals, and statutes enacted for public benefit are to be interpreted most favorably to the public. 3. Statutes—Construction & Operation—Freedom of Information Act.—Freedom of Information Act was passed wholly in the public interest and is to be liberally interpreted to the end that its purposes may be achieved. 4. Statutes—Freedom of Information Act—Construction as Affecting Meetings.—Argument that Freedom of Information Act should not be construed to apply to attorney-client privilege between city council and city attorney held without merit where legislative mandate did not specifically except such meetings.