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What does "Letter of the Law" refer to?

  1. Applying law based on the intent of the legislative body

  2. Interpreting law while considering other statutes

  3. Applying law based strictly on the literal meaning of the statute

  4. Considering the implications of legal statutes

The correct answer is: Applying law based strictly on the literal meaning of the statute

The phrase "Letter of the Law" refers to the practice of applying law strictly according to the literal wording of the statutes. This approach emphasizes adherence to the exact text of the law, without considering any broader intentions or implications that may arise from its context. By focusing purely on the explicit terms, this method aims to ensure that legal decisions align precisely with what is stated, thereby promoting consistency and predictability in legal interpretations. In contrast, the other choices highlight approaches that involve interpretation beyond the mere text. These include assessing legislative intent, considering the interconnectedness of statutes, or evaluating the broader implications of legal statutes, which all deviate from a literal interpretation. Therefore, the correct understanding of "Letter of the Law" is encapsulated in the strict application of legal text as it is written.