shock the conscience

shock the conscience. 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, or (4) a contract is unconscionable. See CONSCIENCE OF THE COURT(2).

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词条贡献者

译者Eugina，毕业于一所旨在培养高级翻译专业人才的翻译院校，擅长翻译涉及国防和军工领域的法律文件。