aggravating circumstance

noun

Legal Definition of aggravating circumstance

: a circumstance relating to the commission of an act that increases the degree of liability or culpability punitive damages are recoverable in a conversion case when the evidence shows legal malice, willfulness, insult, or other aggravating circumstances — Schwertfeger v. Moorehouse, 569 So. 2d 322 (1990) also : a circumstance (as lack of remorse) relating to an offense or defendant that receives consideration by the court especially in imposing a death sentence — compare mitigating circumstance

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aggravated robbery

aggravating circumstance

aggravator

Cite this Entry

“Aggravating circumstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/aggravating%20circumstance. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

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