Aggravating Factors

Aggravating factors are circumstances that increase the severity or culpability of a crime, potentially leading to harsher penalties. For example, factors such as premeditation, the use of a weapon, or harm to vulnerable victims can elevate a crime's seriousness. In legal terms, these factors influence a judge's or jury's decision during sentencing, suggesting that the offender deserves a stricter punishment due to the nature of their actions or the impact on victims or society. Essentially, they highlight elements that make a crime worse than a typical case.