Legal Definitions - letter of the law

The letter of the law refers to interpreting a legal rule or statute based strictly on its exact wording, without considering the broader purpose, intent, or policy that lawmakers had in mind when creating it. It focuses on what the law says precisely, rather than what it meant to achieve or the spirit behind its creation.

• Imagine a local ordinance that states, "No parking on Main Street between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM." A driver parks their car at 8:55 PM and leaves it there until 6:05 AM the next morning. If a parking enforcement officer issues a ticket, they are applying the letter of the law. The literal wording prohibits the *act* of parking during those hours, not necessarily the *presence* of a parked car. However, the intent of the law was likely to ensure the street is clear overnight. By ticketing, the officer is strictly adhering to the exact phrase "No parking...between," even if the car was already there before the restriction began and left after it ended.

• Consider a park rule that declares, "All dogs must be on a leash while in the park." A dog owner is walking their highly trained dog, which is obediently walking right beside them without a leash, causing no disturbance to anyone. If a park ranger issues a citation, they are enforcing the letter of the law. The rule explicitly requires a leash, regardless of the dog's behavior or training. The underlying intent of the rule is to ensure public safety and prevent dogs from running freely, but the literal interpretation focuses solely on the presence or absence of a leash.