Final answer:
Mitigating circumstances are factors that can decrease the penalty imposed in a legal case. They can include things like the defendant's age, mental state, or cooperation with law enforcement. In plea bargaining, a defendant may plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient punishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitigating circumstances are factors that serve to decrease the penalty imposed in a legal case. These circumstances can include things like the defendant's age, mental state, or cooperation with law enforcement. For example, if a defendant has no prior criminal record and shows remorse for their actions, a judge might consider these as mitigating circumstances and give a lighter sentence.
In the context of plea bargaining, a defendant may agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient punishment. This can be seen as a way to mitigate the potential penalty they might face if they were to go to trial and be found guilty of a more serious offense.
It's important to note that mitigating circumstances vary from case to case and their impact on the penalty imposed is ultimately determined by the judge or jury involved in the case.