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Simple English definitions for legal terms

strict construction

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A quick definition of strict construction:

Strict construction is a way of reading and understanding laws. It means that judges should only use the exact words written in the law to make decisions. They should not try to guess what the lawmakers meant or add their own ideas. This is different from liberal construction, where judges can use their own ideas to interpret the law. In criminal cases, strict construction is especially important because it helps make sure that people are not punished for things that are not clearly against the law.

A more thorough explanation:

Strict construction is a way of interpreting laws. It means that judges should only apply the exact words of a law, without considering other possible meanings. This is the opposite of liberal construction, which allows judges to consider the overall purpose of a law when interpreting it.

In criminal law, strict construction is especially important. This is because of the rule of lenity, which says that if a law is unclear, it should be interpreted in favor of the defendant. By using strict construction, judges can make sure that defendants are not punished for things that are not clearly illegal.

For example, let's say there is a law that says "it is illegal to carry a weapon in a government building." If someone is caught carrying a knife in a courthouse, a strict constructionist judge would say that the person is guilty, because a knife is a weapon and a courthouse is a government building. A liberal constructionist judge might say that the law was meant to prevent people from bringing guns into government buildings, and that carrying a small knife for self-defense should not be illegal.

Streets and highways - State statutes | Strict Liability

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General chat about the legal profession.
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babycat
16:37
I'm guessing you don't have a sibling named babycat but I hope I still make you marginally happier than normal despite this
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:38
maybe he has a babycat
babycat
16:38
I think everyone should have a babycat
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:39
im allergic to baby cats >:(
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:40
I used to have a babycat, I only got allergies after he died
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:40
I think he’s haunting me
babycat
16:40
:(
babycat
16:40
that's too bad
babycat
16:40
you still have me though <3
@babycat: you make my day marginally happier with your scathing wit
16:43
New Father John Misty album out today
16:44
People saying it’s his best yet by far
babycat
16:45
what would I do without you renard99
awww ty wasp :)
i have 4 (baby) cats!
16:46
Damn you know her sarcasm is meant to be scathing when she calls me by my full username and not just Renard
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:47
@jackfrost11770: FOUR?!??
16:48
I’m only teasing Babycat ily I’ll be seeing you in [REDACTED] very very soon
YES
and they're all rescues from breeders so they're all long haired persians .... w flat faces ....
they're all runts cause breeders just ... dispose of them (:(((() so they're all super tiny
literal babies
babycat
16:49
ily2 renard99
initiallaw
16:49
omg so cute
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:51
@jackfrost11770: IM SO JEALOUS
2big2fail
16:52
perhaps peggerdine this evening
2big2fail
16:52
but then again, perhaps not
JumpySubsequentDolphin
16:53
damn no ucla wave
16:56
Hey guys! chance me 340/340GRE- 2 years work experience at PIL and wrote compelling statements. but my masters gpa is kinda 3.1 because I was domestically abused. :p
babycat
16:59
schools mostly care about your undergrad GPA
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