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Webster's New World Law Dictionary » abuse of discretion
abuse of discretion
abuse of discretion definition - legal
n
A trial court or administrative agencyÂ’s ruling on a matter within its
discretion that, in light of the relevant facts and law, is arbitrary,
capricious, unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, or illegal. An appellate
court will not reverse a ruling that was within the discretion of the trial
court or administrative agency merely because the appellate court would have
reached a different decision. Instead, the trial court or administrative
agencyÂ’s decision must be wholly inconsistent with the facts and the law and
with any reasonable deductions that can be made therefrom.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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