What is Judicial interpretation?
[[File:Eo-scale2.png|thumb|right|200px]] '''Judicial interpretation''' is an explanation of how the [[judiciary]] interprets the [[law]]. In [[Common law]], judicial interpretation is made up of [[wikt:guidelines|guidelines]] that come from [[case law]] rather than from a [[legislature]].<ref name=laws>{{cite web |url=http://paralegal.laws.com/functions-sources-law/judicial-interpretation-common-law |title=Judicial Interpretation & Common Law |publisher=Laws.com |access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> These represent all previous judicial decisions.<ref name=laws/> In [[constitutional law]], there are different methods of judicial interpretation. These include: * '''Textualism''' is when [[judge]]s look at the actual [[wikt:language|language]] of more than anything else. This method can be hampered when the language of the Constitution itself is [[ambiguous]].<ref name=tws3R18fs>{{cite news |author= John E. Finn |title= Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights |work= The Teaching Company |quote= Part I: Lecture 4: The Court and Constitutional Interpretation (see pages 52, 53, 54 in the guidebook) |year= 2006 }}</ref> This is also called '''literalism'''.<ref name=SenatOSU>{{cite web |url=https://media.okstate.edu/faculty/jsenat/jb3163/methods.html |title=Methods of Judicial Interpretation |author=Joey Senat |publisher=Oklahoma State University School of Media and Strategic Communications |access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> * '''Strict constructionism''' is when a judge interprets the text only as it is spoken. Once a clear meaning has been established, there is no need for further analysis. Judges should avoid drawing inferences from previous statutes or the constitution and instead focus on exactly what was written.<ref>[http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/APGOV_Judiciary.htm The Judiciary: The Power of the Federal Judiciary], The Social Studies Help Center</ref> * '''Founders' Intent''' is when judges try to gauge the intentions of the authors of the Constitution. Problems can arise when judges try to determine