1. A method of interpreting legal documents, constitutions, or statutes by adhering closely to the literal meaning of the words without expanding or inferring additional meanings
The judge applied a strict construction of the constitutional clause to determine its precise meaning.
O juiz aplicou uma interpretação restrita da cláusula constitucional para determinar seu significado preciso.
2. Legal principle that ambiguities in laws should be interpreted narrowly, particularly in criminal law, to protect individual rights
Under strict construction, any ambiguity in the statute must be resolved in favor of the defendant.
Sob interpretação restrita, qualquer ambiguidade na lei deve ser resolvida a favor do réu.