Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

aggravating circumstances Circumstances that increase the seriousness or outrageousness of a given crime, which will increase the wrongdoer's penalty or punishment. For example, the crime of aggravated assault is a physical attack made worse because it is committed with a dangerous weapon, results in severe bodily injury, or is made in conjunction with another serious crime. Aggravated assault is usually considered a felony, punishable by a prison sentence. (Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary)

aggravating circumstance Accompanying or accessory condition, event, or fact that increases the culpability or liability of an accused. Aggravating circumstances (such as cruelty, recklessness, and malice in causing injury to others) are often considered by the courts in imposing more severe sentence than a typical sentence for similar offenses. (BusinessDictionary.com)

Mitigating Circumstances Information about the defendant that does not justify or excuse a criminal act or civil wrong, but that may reduce the defendant's degree of culpability. In criminal law, juries consider mitigating circumstances when deciding whether to impose the death sentence in a capital case, and judges may consider them when selecting a sentence. In civil cases, mitigating circumstances may reduce the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff. (Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary)

mitigating circumstance Accompanying or accessory condition, event, or fact that (though not constituting a justification or excuse of an offense) may be considered by the courts as reducing the degree of culpability or liability of the accused. Such circumstances may include family or personal situations, and may help in attracting a sentence less severe than a typical sentence for similar offenses. (BusinessDictionary.com)