dis·cre·tion /dis-'kre-shən/ n: power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain bounds imposed by law
reached the age of discretion
struck down death penalty provisions administered through unbridled jury discretion — L. H. Tribe: as
a: the power of a judge to use his or her own judgment in making decisions guided by what is fair and equitable and by principles of law see also abuse of discretion
b: the power of a public official or employee to act and make decisions based on his or her own judgment or conscience within the bounds of reason and the law
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.