| crim.law. |
in criminal law, conditions or happenings which do not excuse or justify criminal conduct, but are considered out of mercy or fairness in deciding the degree of the offense the prosecutor charges or influencing reduction of the penalty upon conviction (Example: a young man shoots his father after years of being beaten, belittled, sworn at and treated without love. "Heat of passion" or "diminished capacity" are forms of such mitigating circumstances.);
fact or situation which does not justify or excuse an offense, but does reduce the degree of liability or responsibility and may also reduce the damages civil or punishment criminal
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