What is "mitigating circumstance"

Usage examples of "mitigating circumstance".

The mitigating circumstance that discipline would not suffer, thanks to the new exciting mission, was of no weight.

The man was long dead, needless to say, but whether this qualifies as a mitigating circumstance is open to question.

There was only one mitigating circumstance, though I doubt that Motecuz&oacute.

Maybe there was provocation there, you know, some mitigating circumstance.

The only mitigating circumstance is his claim that he was protecting you.

There could be no excuse, no mitigating circumstance, no appeal to pity.

I do not bring this up as a mitigating circumstance to excuse my actions.