Legal Definitions - dormant legislative intent

Definition: Dormant legislative intent refers to the intent that the legislature would have had if a given ambiguity, inconsistency, or omission had been called to the legislators' minds. It is also known as latent intent or latent intention.

Example: Let's say a law was passed that stated "No vehicles allowed in the park." However, it was not clear whether bicycles were considered vehicles or not. In this case, the dormant legislative intent would be the intent of the legislators if they had considered whether bicycles should be allowed in the park or not.

This concept is important in legal interpretation because it helps judges and lawyers understand what the legislators intended when they passed a law. By considering the dormant legislative intent, they can make a more informed decision about how to apply the law in specific cases.