If the circumstances of the crime are minor, there are cases of exemption from punishment in accordance with the general principles of criminal law. For example, the second paragraph of Article 20 of the Criminal Law stipulates that if justifiable defense obviously exceeds the necessary limit and causes great damage, it shall bear criminal responsibility, but the punishment shall be mitigated or exempted; The second paragraph of Article 2 1 of the Criminal Law stipulates that if the emergency avoidance exceeds the necessary limit and causes unnecessary damage, it shall bear criminal responsibility, but the punishment shall be mitigated or exempted; The second paragraph of Article 22 of the Criminal Law stipulates that the prepared offender may be given a lighter or mitigated punishment or be exempted from punishment compared with the accomplished offender; The second paragraph of Article 24 of the Criminal Law stipulates that if no damage is caused, the discontinued offender shall be exempted from punishment; Paragraph 2 of Article 27 of the Criminal Law stipulates that an accessory shall be given a lighter or mitigated punishment or be exempted from punishment; Article 28 of the Criminal Law stipulates that a person who is coerced to participate in a crime shall be given a mitigated punishment or be exempted from punishment according to the circumstances of his crime; Article 67 1 of the criminal law stipulates that criminals who surrender themselves may be exempted from punishment if the crime is minor; Article 68 of the Criminal Law stipulates that those who have made significant meritorious deeds may be mitigated or exempted from punishment.
If the circumstances of the crime are minor, there are circumstances that are exempted from punishment in accordance with the specific provisions of the Criminal Law or judicial interpretation. For example, the third paragraph of Article 383 of the Criminal Law stipulates that a person who commits the crime of corruption should truthfully confess his crime, sincerely repent and actively return the stolen goods before initiating public prosecution, so as to avoid or reduce the occurrence of damage results. In case of the circumstances specified in item 1, the punishment may be lightened, mitigated or exempted; Article 390 of the Criminal Law stipulates that if a briber voluntarily confesses his bribery before being prosecuted, he may be given a lighter or mitigated punishment. Among them, if the circumstances of the crime are minor, which plays a key role in detecting major cases, or if there is significant meritorious service, the punishment may be mitigated or exempted; Interpretation of the "two highs" on several issues concerning the application of laws in handling criminal cases of affray Article 8 stipulates that if an actor pleads guilty, repents, actively compensates the victim for losses or obtains the victim's understanding, he may be given a lighter punishment; If the circumstances of the crime are minor, prosecution may not be instituted or criminal punishment may be exempted.