Answer:

lenience

Answer	Crossword Clue
LENIENCE	Quality that "hanging judges" lack
LENIENCE	Mercy
LENIENCE	Soft-hearted bent

LENIENCE	Softness
LENIENCE	Clemency.
LENIENCE	Quality of being gentle.
LENIENCE	Indulgence.
LENIENCE	Forbearance.
LENIENCE	Permissiveness
LENIENCE	Prisoner's desire
LENIENCE	Sentencing judge's prerogative

LENIENCE	Defendant's hope, at sentencing
LENIENCE	Clemency
LENIENCE	Indulgence