noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
taking extenuating circumstances into consideration; mitigation of sentence
A legal term used in criminal proceedings when the court considers mitigating factors that may reduce the severity of the punishment. Often appears in the phrase 情状酌量の余地がある (there is room for leniency).
裁判官は情状酌量を認め、執行猶予を言い渡した。
The judge acknowledged the extenuating circumstances and handed down a suspended sentence.
弁護人は情状酌量を求めた。
The defense attorney asked for leniency.