Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

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)

pass (a) sentence (on somebody) to – officially decide how a criminal will be punished, and to announce what the punishment will be: Judges no longer have the power to pass the death sentence. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English)

"She gave up the right to a trial with a plea bargain and got a death sentence," said the 56-year-old criminal defence lawyer and law professor. (BBC News)