making something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad

Are there any mitigating circumstances/factors that might help explain her appalling behaviour? 有什么理由能帮助解释她骇人的行为吗？

causing you to judge a crime to be less serious or to make the punishment less severe

The jury must take into account any mitigating circumstances presented by the defence, such as previous good character. 陪审团必须考虑辩方提出的减轻刑罚的情节，如被告以前品行良好等。