What are "aggravating factors" in sentencing?

Aggravating factors are conditions that are considered during sentencing that increase both the severity of the crime and the corresponding punishment. These factors may include elements such as the defendant's prior criminal history, the use of violence during the crime, the vulnerability of the victim, or the heinous nature of the offense. The presence of aggravating factors often leads courts to impose harsher penalties, as they underscore the seriousness of the crime and the perceived threat the offender poses to society.

In the context of the other options, circumstances that reduce the severity of a crime would be known as mitigating factors, which aim to lessen the punishment. Legal exemptions for certain individuals typically refer to defenses that might absolve someone of liability rather than influence the severity of a sentence. Irrelevant details do not play a role in sentencing decisions and would not have an impact on the level of punishment imposed. Thus, the classification of aggravating factors clearly aligns with the definition of increasing the severity of both the crime and the punishment.