Question

Strict construction means __________.

a. that the Supreme Court should hear the fewest possible cases on appeal
b. that the court will stand on precedent
c. the attempt to follow the "letter of the law"
d. the attempt to understand the law by looking at its context and purpose
e. the doctrine that citizens cannot sue their own state governments unless the states permit them to do so

Answer 1

Strict construction means the attempt to follow the 'letter of the law', emphasizing a literal and narrow interpretation of legal texts, especially the Constitution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Strict construction refers to the interpretation of the Constitution based on a literal and narrow definition of the language without considering the broader context or the purpose of its provisions.

This approach argues for following the 'letter of the law' and suggests that any changes to the Constitution should come through formal amendments rather than through broad judicial interpretation. Noteworthy legal figures, such as Joseph Story and Alexander Hamilton, have emphasized the importance of strict construction.

Additionally, stare decisis is a crucial principle in the judicial system, which means 'let the decision stand'. This principle entails that courts will follow the precedents set in previous decisions when making rulings on new cases.