aggravating circumstance
Sentencing severity enhancer
An aggravating circumstance is a fact that increases the severity or culpability of a criminal act.
In legal proceedings, aggravating circumstances—such as premeditation, use of a weapon, or targeting a vulnerable victim—may justify harsher sentencing: The prosecutor argued that the defendant's prior convictions were an aggravating circumstance.
Contrast with mitigating circumstance.
- exacerbatingMaking something worse
- situationState of affairs
- worseningBecoming more severe
- severityIntensity of sternness
- mens reaBlameworthy mental state
culpability · malice aforethought · trouble · enhancement · sentencing guidelines · mitigating factors · death penalty · beyond a reasonable doubt · intensity · accident · escalation · problem · premeditation · cold blood · judicial discretion · complication · intent to harm · blameworthiness
aggravating circumstancemitigating circumstance
Condition reducing culpability
mitigating factor · extenuating circumstance · mitigating evidence · diminished capacity · justification
aggravate, aggravated, aggravating, aggravation, aggravates, grave, gravity, gravitate, gravitation