aggravated
An aggravated crime or tort is one that is committed under circumstances that allow for increased punishments over what the crime/tort would usually receive. Circumstances necessary to raise a standard crime to the aggravated variant of that crime are typically laid out in statute .
In Texas for example , a person’s assault charge can be raised to an aggravated assault charge if they cause serious bodily injury to another person or used a deadly weapon during the assault. Although standard assault is a misdemeanor , aggravated assault is always a felony .
The circumstances necessary to raise an offense into the aggravated version are known as aggravating factors .
[Last reviewed in November of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]
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