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Originalism And The Inseparability Of Decision Procedures From Interpretive Standards, Michael L. Smith
Originalism And The Inseparability Of Decision Procedures From Interpretive Standards, Michael L. Smith
Faculty Articles
In his article, Originalism: Standard and Procedure, Professor Stephen E. Sachs describes a never-ending debate between originalism's advocates and critics. Originalists argue that certain historical facts determine the Constitution's meaning. But determining these facts is difficult, if not impossible for judges, attorneys, and the public. Sachs seeks to rise above this debate, arguing that the legal community should not expect originalism to offer a procedure for interpreting the Constitution. Instead, the legal community should treat originalism as a
standard to judge interpretations.
This Article takes issue with this approach. Originalism is not like other instances in law where statutes or …