Paragraph 3 states the general principle of proportionality between penalties and criminal offences which is enshrined in the common constitutional traditions of the Member States and in the case-law of the Court of Justice of the Communities.
Maidir leis an tríú mír, tugtar faoi deara gur chóir, i gcomhréir le cásdlí na Cúirte Breithiúnais um Chearta an Duine, foráil a dhéanamh do chúnamh dlíthiúil i gcás nach bhféadfaí leigheas éifeachtach a áirithiú dá uireasa (Breithiúnas an CECD an 9.10.1979, Airey, Sraith A, Imleabhar 32, 11).