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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.

large accelerated filer | last clear chance

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got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:44
My berkeley paragraph finally disappeared. I definitely think it is just an indicator that they are actively reviewing files, and does not mean anything about A, WL, or Rs
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:46
Also has anyone's date disappeared for W&L? Mine did last night
7:55
@WorthlessAttractiveZombie: mine did yesterday morning
7:56
Oops sorry I meant Vilanova. Mine disappeared last week
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