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Simple English definitions for legal terms

statutory interpretation

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A quick definition of statutory interpretation:

Statutory interpretation is when judges try to understand and apply the laws that are written by lawmakers. Sometimes the words in the laws are easy to understand, but other times they can be confusing. Judges use different methods to figure out what the laws mean, like looking at the words themselves, the history of the law, and how it has been used in the past. There are different ways that judges can interpret laws, but they all use similar tools to help them understand what the laws mean.

A more thorough explanation:

Statutory interpretation is the process where courts interpret and apply legislation. This means that judges have to figure out what a law means and how it should be applied in specific situations. Sometimes the words of a law are clear, but other times there may be some level of ambiguity that needs to be resolved by a judge.

To find the true meaning of a law, judges use various tools of statutory interpretation. These tools include:

  • Looking at the ordinary meaning of the words in the law
  • Examining the broader context of the law
  • Using guides and presumptions about how courts ordinarily read laws
  • Considering the legislative history of the law
  • Looking at how the law has been implemented in practice

In the United States, there are two main theories of statutory interpretation: purposivism and textualism. Purposivists believe that judges should interpret laws in a way that furthers the purpose of the law, while textualists believe that judges should interpret laws based solely on the text of the law itself.

For example, let's say there is a law that says "No vehicles allowed in the park." A judge may need to interpret this law if someone is caught riding a bike in the park. The judge would need to decide whether a bike is considered a "vehicle" under the law. They might look at the ordinary meaning of the word "vehicle" and decide that a bike is indeed a vehicle. They might also look at the broader context of the law to see if there are any exceptions or other rules that apply. Finally, they might consider how the law has been applied in similar cases in the past.

statutory damages | Statutory lien

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windyMagician
11:21
nah the hiking in Nike blazers deserves jail time
11:21
he was already vomiting and shitting in a hole I think he did his penance
windyMagician
11:26
call that restorative justice
11:35
they put a place in the UK second. I don’t trust their methodology
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
im laughin cause it definitely isnt but the fact that some people this it is is comical
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
tink*
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
think jee
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
jeez - im over it
11:37
imagine saying you want to go to boston for christmas 💀
shaquilleoatmeal
11:40
imagine you not wanting to go what lmao
13:55
not impressed by the fact that they have a park and some buildings. who doesn't
soap
15:04
Manifesting a GPA boost with the end of this semester
CynicalOops
15:13
Colorado mentioned
CynicalOops
15:18
Wait does boston have one of those long ice rinks
CynicalOops
15:18
Those are fun
15:23
what if I started flexing again
15:24
that might be too much
15:33
can we see ur mod badge?
15:41
just for u sweetie pie
15:43
woah so much swagger with dat 'm;
Dkk
15:47
@shaquilleoatmeal: more like, blow my back out by the bay boston instead of back bay boston.
Dkk
15:48
Indeed, the legendary man himself.
15:49
I would go to blow my back out by the bay boston
15:50
lift with ur back not your legs, its better to have a blown back than two bad legs
CynicalOops
15:53
Blow and back day out by boston bay
15:59
so true
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