Aggravation (law)

Criminal law
Part of the common law series
Element (criminal law)
Actus reus Mens rea Causation Concurrence
Scope of criminal liability
Complicity Corporate Vicarious
Inchoate offenses
Attempt Conspiracy Solicitation
Offence against the person
Assault Battery False imprisonment Kidnapping Mayhem Sexual assault Homicide crimes Murder Felony murder Manslaughter Negligent homicide Vehicular homicide
Crimes against property
Arson Blackmail Burglary Embezzlement Extortion False pretenses Larceny Possessing stolen property Robbery Theft
Crimes against justice
Compounding Misprision Obstruction Perjury Malfeasance in office Perverting the course of justice
Defenses to liability
Defense of self Defence of property Consent Diminished responsibility Duress Entrapment Ignorantia juris non excusat Infancy Insanity Intoxication defense Justification Mistake (of law) Necessity Loss of Control (Provocation)
Other common law areas
Contracts Evidence Property Torts Wills, trusts and estates
Portals
Criminal justice Law

Aggravation, in law, is "any circumstance attending the commission of a crime or tort which increases its guilt or enormity or adds to its injurious consequences, but which is above and beyond the essential constituents of the crime or tort itself."

Aggravated assault, for example, is usually differentiated from simple assault by the offender's intent (e.g., to murder or to rape), the extent of injury to the victim, or the use of a deadly weapon. An aggravating circumstance is a kind of attendant circumstance and the opposite of an extenuating or mitigating circumstance, which decreases guilt.