The main types of contrasting judicial philosophies include judicial activism versus. Versus strict constructionism, and living document versus original intent.
A : To what extent should the supreme court work to promote social progress ?
How important is the original intent of the Constitution when deciding cases? -Apex
Strict constructionism is a judicial philosophy that interprets the Constitution based on its original intent and text, strictly adhering to the literal meaning of the words within it. Judges following this philosophy typically do not incorporate contemporary values or societal changes in their interpretations.
Advocates of Original Intent believe that the Constitution should be interpreted based on the intentions and understandings of its framers at the time of its adoption. They argue that this approach preserves the original meaning of the text and ensures that legal interpretations remain consistent with the values and principles intended by the Founding Fathers. This method seeks to limit judicial activism and uphold the rule of law as it was originally conceived.
An advocate of judicial restrain would support a narrow interpretation of the Constitution, one that adhered closely to the language of the document and his or her belief about the Framers' original intent. Interpretive ideologies such as textualism, "strict constructionism," and originalism are most often associated with judicial restraint. Contextualism, which attempts to infer intent from content, may also result in judicial restraint; however, the degree of subjectivity implicit in this method can also lend itself to judicial activism.
Judicial activism is the philosophy that advocates for a broad interpretation of the Constitution, enabling courts to adapt legal principles to contemporary societal changes. Proponents argue that this approach allows for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of social justice, reflecting evolving societal norms. In contrast, judicial restraint emphasizes a more limited role for the judiciary, advocating for deference to legislative intent and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. This debate highlights the tension between maintaining constitutional integrity and addressing modern issues through judicial interpretation.
A justice with a philosophy of judicial activism is more likely to interpret the Constitution broadly and take an active role in shaping public policy, often prioritizing social justice and individual rights over strict adherence to precedent or legislative intent. In contrast, a justice advocating for judicial restraint tends to defer to the decisions made by elected officials and limits their own role in addressing social issues, emphasizing stability and continuity in the law. This can lead to significant differences in rulings, especially in cases involving civil rights or government regulation.
flexible interpretation, also known as judicial activism, is a way of viewing the constitution that shows judges as trusted individuals who sometimes inject their personal beliefs and opinions when making judicial decisions rather than interpreting the constitution by its original intent. many left leaning justices of the supreme court employ the use of flexible interpretation because of its allowance of personal thoughts and beliefs having an effect on judicial rulings.
Doctrinalism relies on the principle of stare decisis.Judicial restraint relies on a narrow interpretation of the text of the Constitution and the Framers' inferred intent in decision-making. If the precedent being relied upon under stare decisis was made using judicial restraint, then adhering to the precedent also involves judicial restraint; if the controlling precedent being used represents an instance of judicial activism, then upholding the precedent also requires a (lesser) degree of judicial activism.The concepts of judicial restraint and judicial activism relate to decisions based on a particular theoretical view of the Constitution and its purpose. Stare decisis relates to consistency in upholding case law, regardless of whether the precedent was originally determined via activism or restraint.
(note: this explanation assumes understanding of several U.S. landmark cases) Judicial activism is closely tied with the personal standpoint of "liberal." It is basically being more "activist" or more in turn with "adding" to the U.S. Constitution rather than merely interpreting it (judicial restraint). Three major cases that have been touted as judicial activism abuse include Roe v. Wade, Lawrence v. Texas, and Brown v. Board of Education (abortion, homosexuality, and racial segregation, respectively). Without judicial activism, the U.S. would still be stuck with the Dredd Scott decision and Plessy v. Ferguson, regarding African Americans' rights. Without judicial activism, Lochner v. New York would stand as a legal precendent, and the minimum wage would be illegal on the basis that it violates the right to business contracts. Additionally, it could be argued that judicial activism is necessary because it is difficult to decide court cases based on the U.S. Constitution when the framers' are long dead, their intent unknown, and the Constitution written in an age before the modern or digital age.
Original intent is a theory in law concerning constitutional and statutory interpretation.
A crime is a criminal act committed with a criminal intent.