mitigation

Definition

The art of making bad things less bad in legal contexts—reducing damages, softening penalties, or presenting evidence that explains why the defendant deserves leniency. It's what defense attorneys do during sentencing when they can't argue innocence anymore but can at least argue for mercy. Think of it as damage control for people who've already lost the main argument.

Example Usage

The defense presented extensive mitigation evidence, including the defendant's troubled childhood and recent rehabilitation efforts.

Source: Legal terminology via standard dictionaries

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