"Circumstances can create a degree of understanding by society to the action taken, but the action itself is still wrong." This I like. Even if a person could not have easily prevented themselves from committing the crime, they should still accept a certain level of responsibility on the basis that it was a crime, and they committed it, rather than going "it's not my fault because..." Like if you accidentally, and without malice or forethought, damage someone else's property. The usual response is to accept at least partial responsibility and say "I'm so sorry. Let me help you clear that up. Can it be fixed? Can I replace it? (or if it can't be fixed or replaced) Can I make it up to you?" rather than "It's not my fault! You shouldn't have put that item where I could break it! Someone else broke my one years ago!"