aggravating circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aggravating circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to factors that increase the severity or culpability of a crime or situation. Example: "The judge considered the aggravating circumstances before determining the final sentence for the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There must be a very specific aggravating circumstance.

The New York Times

He tried to make it an aggravating circumstance.

The New Yorker

Soviet law was especially harsh; it held that the mental-disease defense was not applicable to persons who committed a crime while drunk and that drunkenness might even be an aggravating circumstance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last month the United States Supreme Court struck down provisions of the state's Ethnic Intimidation Act, or hate crimes law, that allowed a judge to increase a sentence in cases in which he or she found any sort of bias as an aggravating circumstance.

The New York Times

A study to be published this spring in the Cornell Law Review on the instruction at issue in this case showed that when mock jurors were given the instruction without the clarification the real jurors had sought, 41percentt said, incorrectly, that they were required to impose a death sentence if they found an aggravating circumstance.

The New York Times

The bill proposed in Indiana would have allowed bias against a person's race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry, or sexual orientation to be considered as an "aggravating circumstance" that could merit tougher sentencing, as is the case with federal hate crime laws.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Aggravating circumstances — like the use of a weapon, or harm inflicted on a child — can lead to orders of as much as five years.

The New York Times

The revised code calls for a possible minimum ban of four years if there are "aggravating circumstances," which would include being involved in doping schemes.

The New York Times - Sports

Another third involved what the researchers called "aggravating circumstances," like teenagers using pictures for blackmail or someone forwarding topless pictures of an ex after a breakup.

The New York Times - Science

The multiple deaths and age of the babies reportedly killed with scissors are aggravating circumstances that warrant the death penalty, Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said Wednesday.

The New York Times

Until now, a prosecutor could simply obtain an indictment for murder, making no mention of the death penalty to grand jurors, and decide later to argue for the death penalty on the basis of aggravating circumstances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aggravating circumstance" in legal writing, clearly define the specific factor that constitutes the aggravating circumstance to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure you are using "aggravating circumstance" to describe factors that increase the severity of an action, not factors that lessen it. The opposite of an aggravating circumstance is a "mitigating circumstance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aggravating circumstance" functions as a noun phrase, often used in legal and formal contexts. It describes a specific factor that increases the severity or culpability of an action or crime, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aggravating circumstance" is a noun phrase denoting a factor that increases the severity or culpability of an action, particularly in legal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While used across multiple domains, it is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. Given its formal nature, using "aggravating circumstance" correctly involves understanding its function in increasing the severity of an offense, distinguishing it from its opposite, "mitigating circumstance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Worsening factor

Refers to something that makes a situation worse.

Intensifying element

Highlights the aspect of making something more intense or severe.

Exacerbating condition

Focuses on worsening an existing situation or condition.

Negative element

Identifies the circumstance as a detrimental component.

Critical factor

Highlights the importance of the circumstance in a decision or outcome.

Unfavorable aspect

Focuses on the negative or detrimental nature of the circumstance.

Weighty consideration

Emphasizes the significant impact of the circumstance.

Incriminating detail

Highlights that the circumstance suggests involvement in wrongdoing.

Damning evidence

Suggests the circumstance strongly implicates someone or something.

Extenuating factor

Opposite of "aggravating circumstance", refers to factors that lessen the severity of an offense.

FAQs

How does an "aggravating circumstance" affect sentencing?

An "aggravating circumstance" can lead to a harsher sentence by increasing the severity or culpability of a crime. Judges or juries may consider these circumstances when determining the appropriate punishment.

What are some examples of "aggravating circumstances" in criminal law?

Examples include the use of a weapon, harm inflicted on a child, multiple deaths, or the commission of a crime for financial gain. These factors can elevate the severity of the offense.

Is homophobia considered an "aggravating circumstance" in all courts?

No, homophobia is not universally considered an "aggravating circumstance" in court. Some jurisdictions may include hatred based on sexual orientation as an aggravating factor in violent crimes, while others do not.

What's the difference between "aggravating circumstances" and "extenuating circumstances"?

"Aggravating circumstances" increase the severity of an offense, whereas "extenuating circumstances" (or mitigating circumstances) lessen the severity or provide some justification for the action.