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Simple English definitions for legal terms

originalism

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A quick definition of originalism:

Originalism is a way of understanding the law, especially the U.S. Constitution. It means that we should interpret the words in the Constitution the way people understood them when they were written a long time ago. We can figure out what the words meant by looking at what the people who wrote them said and did, and by looking at other old documents. Some people think this is the best way to understand the Constitution, while others think the Constitution can change and mean different things over time.

A more thorough explanation:

Originalism is a way of interpreting legal texts, like the U.S. Constitution, that says we should understand them the way people did when they were written. This means we should look at what the people who wrote the text meant, and what people at the time understood it to mean. We can figure this out by looking at things like debates, dictionaries, and other legal documents from that time.

For example, if we were trying to understand what the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution means, an originalist would look at what people at the time thought it meant. They might look at debates from when the amendment was written, or at other laws from that time that used similar language. They would try to figure out what the people who wrote the amendment meant when they said "the right to bear arms."

Originalism is different from another way of interpreting legal texts called "living constitutionalism." Living constitutionalism says that the Constitution can change over time, and that we should interpret it in light of modern values and ideas. Originalism says that we should stick to the original meaning of the text, even if it doesn't match up with modern values.

original work of authorship | origination fee

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lawguy we're nearly stats twins :D
13:13
I saw that, and I saw you got the Georgetown interview invite yesterday too! Goodluck!
you too haha, i was super surprised to have received one so early not gonna lie
i heard the group interview is really chill and I'm kinda excited to do it
seems cool
13:14
Yeah, 7sage has a page that talks about the questions for each schools interview, GULC's seems unique
13:15
Idk how much of an effect it has on admissions chances but should be cool either way
ive heard the conversion rate for gulc group interview is pretty high even moreso if you have the stats
it's hard to say but i've also heard that the group interview is harder to get than the alumni interview. but who really knows tbh
im p sure they don't interview everyone and getting one this early should be a great sign!
13:16
Yeah I've heard the same ab the group interview
13:17
So maybe I'll see you in D.C. a year from now lmao
initiallaw
13:32
Speaking of stat twins kazuyamishima were exact stat twins lol
17:13
Anyone going to the UGA zoom thing on the 22nd?
17:16
My bad, 24th*
Idk, what's it for?
@Law-Guy: How'd you get the Vandy fee waiver?
17:32
What does going ur3 in 3 days mean at Uva 😅
that you will get UR2 in 3 more
17:33
somethings gotta give
I’m new. What’s the UR and UR2?
17:35
I already went ur2. It’s the 3rd status date change
17:35
@RustyWrangler: attend one of their virtual info sessions and they'll send you a fee waiver
@Law-Guy: Awesome, thanks! I'll sign up rn!
i'm not entirely sure
They've recently been sending a lot of interview invites
It means status change?
17:47
Someone said there is a wl/r wave coming but how can that even be predicted 😭
17:48
Where?
Quillinit
17:50
This is obviously not true for UVA. Past years show they don't send any non A results until December
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