Maryland Aviation Administration v. Clifton F. Noland

Summary

The court held that judicial review of a lawful and authorized agency disciplinary sanction is narrowly limited, and a court may not reverse merely because it considers the sanction disproportionate or prefers a lesser penalty. Reversal is permissible only when the sanction is so extreme and egregious that it is arbitrary or capricious. The court also held that the agency was not required to make findings explaining its consideration of mitigating factors or alternative sanctions, and therefore directed that the administrative termination decision be affirmed.