Sections of this chapter shall be deemed to be severable. Should any section, paragraph, or provision hereof be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.

(Code 1994, § 28.01)

The rule that a penalty statute is to be strictly construed shall not apply to this chapter or any of the provisions thereof. All provisions of this chapter shall be construed according to the fair import of their terms, to promote justice and to effect the objects of this chapter.

(Code 1994, § 28.02)