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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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RoaldDahl
16:05
dodged the mich r wave what does this mean
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:06
it means you will not be rejected today and may be accepted or WL in the future
Just got my Michigan rejection
BookwormBroker
16:10
same
RoaldDahl
16:10
@HopefullyInLawSchool: what if i already got rejected. does it mean anything
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:12
@RoaldDahl: Likely not however it could mean nothing
RoaldDahl
16:15
So if it means nothing does that mean something?
HopefullyInLawSchool
16:17
Possibly
RoaldDahl
16:26
Cool
RoaldDahl
16:26
thank you!!!! i hope it means something
pinkandblue
16:31
fart
IrishDinosaur
16:36
Mich R gang lesgooo
Did anyone else get that random get to know nova email?
HopefullyInLawSchool
17:21
Ya it was sent to all YM applicants
starfishies
17:37
Anyone get the NDLS email inviting you to apply for something even though they haven’t made a decision on your app yet
17:38
Better yet I got the email and I was rejected last month
starfishies
17:38
Wtf
starfishies
17:39
and the deadline is in like a week what is this
any cardozo movement?
BatmanBeyond
18:01
Sent a LOCI via portal, but I'm wondering if email would have gotten me a swifter response
BatmanBeyond
18:02
This whole hold/wait-list/reserve system is a headache
loci already?
BatmanBeyond
18:09
If the odds are like 1-2% I don't think it matters much by the numbers
12:11
I got the same NDLS email
OrangeThing
12:18
I think the user profiles are broken
19:29
Any word out of Notre Dame?
19:29
Only the invitation to apply for LSE
19:29
Anyone received a decision from NDLS?
19:50
when did u guys apply that just heard from umich? they havent even glanced at my app yet
0:30
how am i supposed to spy on people when profile links are broken?
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