criminal law statute interpretation: case law interpretation

Question 1

judicial interpretation through case law

Answer 1

what interpretations a court has already given to a statute, and why other interpretations were not considered

Question 2

Agency interpretations through regulations

Answer 2

the agency in charge of a certain statue will issue regulations to clarify how that statue should be interpreted and applied. Courts will often defer to the agency in charge when it comes to interpretation of a statue.

Question 3

Relevant Canons of Construction: Rule of Lenity

Answer 3

ambiguity in a statue defining a crime or imposing a penalty should be resolved in favor of the defendant

Question 4

Relevant Canons of Construction: Presumption Against Change in Common Law

Answer 4

unless there is a very exact way the statute is written, then the statue does not change the common law

(dog tag case)