mitigating circumstances

British  

plural noun

1. circumstances that may be considered to lessen the culpability of an offender

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Example Sentences

Frank's shortcomings were laid bare during his ill-fated eight-month reign in charge - but he could point to other factors that have led Spurs to the dark place they currently occupy as mitigating circumstances.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

“She feels horrible about all of this. Nobody wants to be in the chain of causation,” Geragos said, adding that he will present evidence of mitigating circumstances at her Dec. 10 sentencing.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

He looked through thousands of pages of this very complex, highly contested record, purported to weigh the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, decided which were true and false, and drew his own conclusions.

From Slate • May 31, 2024

There are mitigating circumstances which apply in the situation of the elderly man who died of AKPV.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2024

"I think," continued the lawyer, "I think, the government counsel himself will recommend to the jury to find that there were mitigating circumstances."

From Landolin by Auerbach, Berthold