Case ID: ohio-law-abs_2/html/0067-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WANAMAKER, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 42
    No. 17863
    F. W. Widmer v. State of Ohio.
    Error to Court of Appeals of Stark county.
    313. CRIMINAL LAW — Statutes áre to be reasonably construed — Where meaning is clear, nothing for court to construe — Words “at a target,” etc., in statute 12635 GC., as to shooting at a target, qualifies both shooting and firing either gun or pistol.
   WANAMAKER, J.

1. Criminal statutes are sti.ctly but reasonably construed in determining what offenses are included within them, and whether or not the essential facts stated in the eharge constitute an offense under such statute.

2. Where such statute is clear as to its meaning, taking the entire context at its four corners, there is nothing for a court to construe.

3. Section 12635, General Code, by means of the words “at a target within the limits of a municipal corporation,” qualifies both shooting and firing either gun .or pistol. .

Judgment reversed.

Marshall, C. J., Robinson, Matthias and Allen, JJ., concur. Jones and Day, JJ., dissent from proposition 3 of the syllabus and from the judgment.