Finding & Interpreting Statutory Law

4 Steps to Statute Interpretation:

Statute interpretation consists of four important steps that must be followed in order to guarantee its achievement. These include: acquisition of facts, location of relevant statutes, analyzing the aforementioned statutes, and the concluding results.

Each step leads to the other in direct succession as the absence of any one will render the completion of such interpretation impossible. Attaining the appropriate facts will allow the paralegal to determine the course of action that must be taken in ascertaining what statute may then be relevant to the case. When seeking out such a relevant statute, then, it is vital that language be scrutinized as well as the intent involved.

In addition to this is the importance of acknowledging the date in which a statute had been put into effect. If the date of your client's case came prior to the advent of a particular statute, this would no longer be an appropriate candidate in terms of relevance. Assuming that you have determined a statute appropriate for your cause, analyzing would be the next viable step to be employed. This is comprised of actually breaking down the structure and components of a statute.

In such a way, you will be able to discern any ambiguities that will undoubtedly arise as a result of complicated statutes. One route to start with would be to acquire one's own interpretation of a statute aside from any additional sources. This will allow for a non-biased outlook as well as will improve your entire analysis of the statute.

Consideration of opposing arguments will also ensure that such an examination is thorough in connection to the attorney's prepared case. In conclusion of statute interpretation, the prior steps will have worked together in concurrence toward the efficient use of resources and time. Adequate adherence will allow for more attention to be placed on other vital aspects of the legal proceedings.

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