Legal Definitions - extenuating circumstances

Definition: Extenuating circumstances refer to important facts or details that are necessary for fully understanding a situation. These factors may make a person's actions seem less severe or reduce their culpability in those actions. In criminal trials, extenuating circumstances may result in a lower charge or a reduction in punishment, such as a shorter sentence. In civil cases, extenuating circumstances may decrease the amount of damages awarded. The opposite of extenuating circumstances are aggravating factors, which may increase punishment in a criminal setting.

• A person who steals food because they are starving may have extenuating circumstances that could reduce their punishment.
• A driver who causes an accident because they were swerving to avoid hitting a child in the road may have extenuating circumstances that could reduce their liability for damages.

These examples illustrate how extenuating circumstances can be used to provide context and understanding for a person's actions. In both cases, the circumstances surrounding the event may make the person's actions seem less severe or less intentional, which could result in a reduction in punishment or liability.