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Simple English definitions for legal terms

shock the conscience

Read a random definition: copyright-management information

A quick definition of shock the conscience:

Shock the conscience: To make someone feel very uncomfortable about what is right or wrong. This phrase is used to decide if something is fair or not, like if a punishment is too harsh or if a contract is not fair. The court also uses this phrase to make decisions based on what is fair and just. For example, if a jury gives too much money in a lawsuit, the court might say it "shocks the conscience" and change the amount.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: To cause intense ethical or humanitarian discomfort. This phrase is used as an equitable standard for gauging whether:

  1. State action amounts to a violation of a person's substantive-due-process rights
  2. A jury's award is excessive
  3. A fine or jail term is disproportionate to the crime
  4. A contract is unconscionable

Conscience of the Court: The court's equitable power to decide issues based on notions of fairness and justice. A standard applied by the court in deciding whether a party or a jury has acted within acceptable limits. Thus, in some cases, a jury's award of damages is upset because it is said to “shock the conscience of the court.”

Examples:

  • A state law that allows for the execution of mentally disabled individuals would shock the conscience and violate their substantive-due-process rights.
  • If a jury awards a victim of a car accident $10 million for a minor injury, it may be considered excessive and shock the conscience of the court.
  • Imposing a life sentence for a minor traffic violation would be disproportionate to the crime and shock the conscience.
  • A contract that requires a person to give up all their legal rights without any compensation would be considered unconscionable and shock the conscience of the court.

These examples illustrate how the concept of "shocking the conscience" is used as a standard to determine whether certain actions or decisions are ethical and justifiable. It is a way for the court to ensure that fairness and justice are upheld in legal proceedings.

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I did 2x and they said "The vast majority of candidates who have submitted their complete application by our deadline will be notified by the last day of April"
like kinda fucked
16:50
ugh that's so annoying
law schools that ghost should give you your money back
or reject
like man GIVE IT BACK!!!!
ClassyPleasantHeron
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like man oklahoma more like oklahowaboutyoueatmyshoe
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help who just posted that right after I started bitching in chat
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QuarrelsomeTurkey
18:29
does anyone know if bu ever releases after 5 pm
Lol @jupitersmoons It feels like UofU is screwing with us haha
fr like I know it"s Mountain Time but bestie we have less than half an hour before typical EOD
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Real
19:17
new COAs are out
19:37
Anyone know how long it takes to get aid package after getting admitted to UChicago or Northwestern?
I’d ask in the t14 chat bc lol it may be a bit until you can get someone who can answer that question here
21:19
@syddak: Oof tough spot. Congrats on the As. Did either indicate either via email/mail that they would be following up with aid, and if so, did they provide a time frame? It may be acceptable to email them and indicate seat deposits are fast approaching and you are curious if you can expect further info (aid) from the school to aid u in ur decision..
0:26
@UnderRepresentedTryhard: that’s a greater than sign. Meaning outside t14
0:27
Schools>t14
IrishDinosaur
13:38
I'm convinced USC doesn't really exist
IrishDinosaur
13:38
it's an elaborate hoax
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babycakes
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u such a crazy flexer
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