What is the test for plain language in a statute?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Rodriguez, B287573 (Cal. App. 2018):

"If the plain language of the statute is clear and unambiguous, [the courts'] inquiry ends, and [one] need not embark on judicial construction." (People v. Johnson (2002) 28 Cal.4th 240, 244.) "In the construction of a statute . . . , the office of the Judge is simply to ascertain and declare what is in terms or substance contained therein, not to insert what has been omitted, or to omit what has been inserted . . . ." (Code Civ. Proc., 1858.)

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