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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