What is the test for determining the meaning of a dictionary definition under the California Civil Code of Civil Procedure Act?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. A.P. (In re A.P.), 2d Juv. No. B286019 (Cal. App. 2019):
"Our primary task in interpreting the statute is to determine the lawmakers' intent. [Citation.] We begin with the words of the statute and their usual and ordinary meaning, which would typically be their dictionary definition. [Citations.] Their plain meaning controls, unless the words are ambiguous. [Citation.] 'If the statute is ambiguous, we may consider a variety of extrinsic aids, including legislative history, the statute's purpose, and public policy.' [Citation.]" (People v. Costella (2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 1, 5-6, italics added.) "Where the words of the statute are clear, we may not add to or alter them to accomplish a purpose that does not appear on the face of the
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statute or from its legislative history." (Burden v. Snowden (1992) 2 Cal.4th 556, 562.)
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