Final answer:
Criminal enhancements are legal provisions that can lead to increased sentences for a defendant if certain aggravating factors are present during the commission of a crime. They serve to deter severe offenses and penalize offenders more harshly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of criminal law, "criminal enhancements" refer to specific factors or conditions that can lead to harsher sentences for a defendant if they are convicted of a crime. These are not tools, but rather legal provisions used by prosecutors and judges to increase a person's punishment range when certain aggravating circumstances are present. For example, using a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime or committing a hate crime because of the victim's race or religion could result in sentence enhancements. Enhancements are designed to act as a deterrent and to penalize more harshly those who commit crimes under circumstances deemed more severe or damaging to society.