Okuzeka
Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Sentencing & Punishment

Aggravating factor

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈæɡrəveɪtɪŋ ˌfæktə/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, aggravating factor means: A fact about a crime that makes it more serious and can lead to a longer or heavier sentence, such as using a weapon or targeting a vulnerable victim.

In Turkish: ağırlaştırıcı sebep, nitelikli hal, cezayı artıran neden

How it is used

Judges list aggravating factors when they explain a sentence: 'previous convictions', 'planning', 'abuse of trust', 'offence committed on bail'. Some offences have aggravated forms with their own names, such as 'aggravated burglary' or 'aggravated assault'.

Example sentences

  1. Using a weapon was treated as an aggravating factor.

  2. The judge said the victim's age was a serious aggravating factor.

Common collocations

  • serious aggravating factor
  • aggravating and mitigating factors
  • aggravated assault
  • aggravated burglary
  • mitigating circumstancesFacts about an offence or offender that make the crime less serious or the offender less to blame, and so can lead to a lighter sentence.
  • sentenceThe punishment that a judge gives a person who has been found guilty; as a verb, to give someone a particular punishment.
  • assaultThe crime of attacking someone physically or, in strict legal use, making someone fear that they are about to be attacked.
  • robberyThe crime of stealing from a person or place by using force or the threat of force.

More terms: Sentencing & Punishment

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.