Who is responsible for determining legislative intent?

Legislative intent refers to the purpose and objectives that the lawmakers aimed to achieve when they drafted and passed a law. Legislators are primarily responsible for articulating and manifesting this intent through the legislative process. They engage in discussions, debates, and considerations that shape the language and provisions of the law.

Moreover, when courts interpret statutes, they often seek to ascertain the legislative intent to apply the law correctly. This is based on the premise that the interpretation of laws should reflect what the legislators intended when they created those laws. While judges may play a significant role in interpreting legislative intent, it is the legislators who originally establish that intent through their actions and decisions during the legislative process. Understanding this framework helps clarify the division of responsibilities within the legal system regarding law-making and interpretation.