Specific factors found and considered as reasons for why someone should be given a harsher penalty for a crime. Some states refer to aggravating circumstances as "special circumstances," "aggravators," or "aggravated factors."

An agent permitted to represent a person, and who has been qualified by a state or federal court to provide legal services, including appearing in court.

Frustrated or spoiled through negligence, incompetence or clumsiness.

Leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice.

A change in length or severity of a penalty or punishment.

Poisonous water-soluble substance comprised of carbon and nitrogen. It is naturally produced by certain organisms found in vegetables, such as cherry pits, apricot pits, and bitter almonds.

The section of a prison that houses inmates awaiting execution. The term is also used to refer to the state of awaiting execution.

The prevention of certain actions by the induction of fear for threatening negative consequences.

Death brought about by the flow of electricity through an organism. Electrocution is a form of execution used in the United States.

Relates to the use of scientific knowledge and application to solve legal matters, usually used in criminal investigations.

A legal act (writ) that commands the detainment official to produce the body of the prisoner before a court or a judge. It is often used as a legal strategy to gain release from unlawful or inhumane detention.

Lack of guilt of a person with respect to any wrongdoing.

In the US, a juvenile is a minor 10 years of age or older, and younger than 17 years of age.

The killing of a person without intention, premeditation, or malice aforethought.

A person in the US under 18 years of age.

Factors found and considered as reasons for why someone should be given a lighter penalty for a crime.

A term used to describe mental functioning significantly lower-than-normal IQ. For legal porpuses in the US, the mental development must be at least two standard deviations below the norm (70 IQ or lower) to be considered "retardation."

Intentional, or premeditated, or malicious killing of a person.

To release (a person) from punishment; exempt from penalty; To let (an offense) pass without punishment.

The release of a prisoner whose term has not expired on condition of sustained lawful behavior that is subject to regular monitoring by an officer of the law for a set period of time; The duration of such conditional release.

The act of suspending the sentence of a person convicted of a criminal offense and granting that person provisional freedom on the promise of good behavior.

A tendency to lapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially a pattern of criminal habits.

The act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, lost, or surrendered; The act of making good or compensating for loss, damage, or injury; indemnification.

Punishment imposed (as on a convicted criminal) for purposes of repayment or revenge for the wrong committed.

Interruption of tubular flow. Lenghtly strangulation of blood vessels or the trachea (windpipe) may result in death.

Lack of oxygen in the blood stream due to obstruction or damage to any part of the respiratory system. It can be caused by a poorly oxygenated atmosphere, an object, liquids, or gases.

Subversive, disloyal, or criminal behavior against one's government.

Reactionary, retaliatory act against a person or group.

A formal written order given by a court of law.