Legal Definitions - read into

Read into

In a legal context, to "read into" something means to infer or attribute a meaning, intention, or provision that is not explicitly stated in a document, law, or situation. It involves interpreting something beyond its literal words, often to fill a perceived gap, clarify ambiguity, or align with broader principles. This can occur in various legal settings, such as contract interpretation, statutory construction, or when assessing evidence.

• Example 1: Contract Interpretation

  A software development company signs a contract with a client for a new application. The contract specifies the features to be delivered but does not explicitly mention ongoing technical support after the launch. When the client later demands free support for a year, the software company argues that such a long-term, free support obligation cannot be "read into" the original agreement, as it was never discussed or included in the written terms.

  Explanation: Here, the client is attempting to infer or add a provision (free technical support) that was not explicitly written in the contract. The software company is arguing against "reading into" the contract an unstated obligation.

• Example 2: Statutory Construction

  A state legislature passes a new law regulating ride-sharing services, stating that all drivers must have "commercial insurance." The law doesn't explicitly define "commercial insurance" or specify minimum coverage amounts. A court might "read into" the statute a requirement for a certain level of liability coverage, based on the legislative intent to protect passengers and the general public, even though those specifics weren't detailed in the text.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the court is interpreting the statute by inferring a more specific meaning for "commercial insurance" to fulfill the law's broader purpose, even though those details were not explicitly written by the lawmakers.

• Example 3: Jury Instructions

  During a criminal trial, a witness for the prosecution appears nervous and avoids eye contact while testifying. The defense attorney might ask the judge to instruct the jury not to "read into" the witness's demeanor any indication of dishonesty, but rather to evaluate the credibility of their testimony based solely on the facts presented and their consistency.

  Explanation: This example illustrates caution against inferring unstated meaning (dishonesty) from non-verbal cues (nervousness, lack of eye contact). The judge's instruction would direct the jury to avoid attributing meaning beyond the explicit testimony.