Book excerpt: This volume presents 25 criminal mitigation sample reports from a wide range of issues that the criminal defense lawyers must tackle at the pre-plea and presentence phase of litigation. The mitigation reports serve to complement the criminal defense lawyer's advocacy by allowing the criminal defense lawyer to approach the pre-plea or presentence phase with a more complete understanding of the client's psychosocial background, mental health needs, family issues, and any and all other mitigating issues. The goal is to humanize the client so that the prosecutor and judge can identify with the traumas and challenges that the client has suffered to allow for greater empathy and justice.