HopefullyInLawSchool
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
mitigator
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A quick definition of mitigator:
A mitigator is something that can make a person who did something wrong seem less guilty. It's like a reason that can explain why they did it, or why they shouldn't be punished as much as they would be if they didn't have that reason. For example, if someone was forced to do something bad, that could be a mitigator because it shows they didn't really want to do it.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A mitigator is a factor that shows a criminal defendant, although guilty, is less responsible for their actions than it may seem. This factor can reduce the severity of the punishment they receive.
For example, if someone was forced to participate in a robbery, this could be considered a mitigating factor in their trial. It may show that they were not fully responsible for their actions and that they were coerced into committing the crime.
Another example of a mitigating factor could be a defendant's mental state at the time of the crime. If they were suffering from a mental illness or were under extreme emotional distress, this could be taken into account when determining their level of culpability.
Overall, a mitigator is something that can lessen the severity of a defendant's punishment by showing that they were not fully responsible for their actions.