extenuating circumstances

Facts surrounding the commission of a crime that work to mitigate or lessen it.

Extenuating circumstances render a crime less evil or reprehensible. They do not lower the degree of an offense, although they might reduce the punishment imposed.

Extenuating circumstances might include extraordinary circumstances, which are unusual factors surrounding an event, such as the very young age of a defendant in a murder case.

Cross-references

Mitigating Circumstances.

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extenuating circumstances n. surrounding factors (sometimes called mitigation) which make a crime appear less serious, less aggravated, or without criminal intent, and thus warranting a more lenient punishment or lesser charge (manslaughter rather than murder, for example). (See: mitigating circumstances)

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extenuating circumstances noun alleviating cirrumstances, consideration, exception, extenuation, mitiiating circumstances, mitigation, palliation, palliative cirrumstances, partial excuse, qualification, qualifying reasons, softening circumstances