A 16-Year-Old Boy Is Convicted of Sexually Molesting His 13-Year-Old

Multiple Choice

A 16-year-old boy is convicted of sexually molesting his 13-year-old neighbor.The judge ultimately decided not to levy the maximum sentence against the boy because of several factors, including his age, his lack of a criminal record, and the fact that he had also been a victim of sexual abuse earlier in his childhood.All of these circumstances reduced the offender's blame.What are these circumstances called?

A) aggravating circumstances
B) alleviating circumstances
C) mitigating circumstances
D) reducing circumstances