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Simple English definitions for legal terms

last antecedent rule

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A quick definition of last antecedent rule:

The last antecedent rule is a way that courts interpret sentences. It means that a word or phrase that describes something only applies to the thing right before it. For example, if we say "letters or emails drafted by a clerk," the part about being "drafted by a clerk" only applies to the emails, not the letters. This rule has been around for a long time, but sometimes judges don't agree on how to use it. Recently, in a case about gun possession, some judges thought the rule should be used, and others didn't.

A more thorough explanation:

The last antecedent rule is a legal principle that helps courts interpret qualifying clauses in a sentence. According to this rule, a qualifying clause should be understood to refer only to the immediately preceding words or phrases.

For example, consider the sentence: "I will only eat apples or bananas grown in my garden." The last antecedent rule would suggest that the phrase "grown in my garden" only applies to bananas, not apples.

The Supreme Court first mentioned this rule in the 1799 case of Sims’ Lessee v. Irvine. However, recent Supreme Court decisions have shown that the rule is not always clear-cut and can be subject to interpretation.

For instance, in the case of United States v. Hayes, the Court was divided on how to interpret a statutory provision on firearm possession. Justice Ginsburg refused to apply the last antecedent rule, while Justice Roberts argued that it should be followed.

Overall, the last antecedent rule is a tool that courts can use to help them interpret complex legal language. However, it is not always applicable and may require further analysis in some cases.

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THATS SO FUNNY
i cant i would go crazy
JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:50
i need to know who decided to do that.
JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:50
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the devil
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20:50
yo splitterus are you in school already
20:50
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:51
@SplitterusClitterus: HAHAH yes
ur user is hilarioussss and no i just graduated this may and am now applying ---also im out of messages so ill take a lil
20:52
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im back, r u applying this cycle too
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:32
this child fell asleep on me
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:32
im so uncomfortable
just push him off the entire seat
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:34
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:35
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:35
he has since moved
22:12
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22:23
i just went into a discord vc and yelled "YALL I JUST GOT INTO J.M. SCHOOL OF LAW"
22:24
people were getting excited :sob:
22:25
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
22:39
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
22:45
haha my brother and sister in law live there
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