Abuse Of Discretion Definition

A trial court or administrative agency’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 agency’s decision must be wholly inconsistent with the facts and the law and with any reasonable deductions that can be made therefrom.

(law) The rendering of a decision by a court that is so unreasonable in light of the facts of the case or is such an unreasonable deviation from legal precedent that it must be reversed.

(law) Any action by a government official by which that official renders decisions for a clearly improper purpose.