Aggravation

Crimes, Torts. That which increases the enormity of a crime or the injury of a wrong. The opposite of extenuation.

When a crime or trespass has been committed under aggravating circumstances, it is punished with more severity; and, the damages given to vindicate the wrong are greater.

In Pleading. The introduction of matter into the declaration which tends to increase the amount of damages, but does not affect the right of action itself. An example of this is found in the case where a plaintiff declares in trespass for entering his house, and breaking his close, and tossing his goods about; the entry of the house is the principal ground and foundation of the action, and the rest is only stated by way of agravation and this matter need not be proved by the plintiff or answered by the defendant.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.