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Neonaticide: an appropriate application for therapeutic jurisprudence?
1Department of Educational Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, Abington College, 1600 Woodland Road, Abington, PA 19001-3990, USA. lls2@psu.edu
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|January 12, 2002
Summary
Therapeutic jurisprudence can be applied to neonaticide (infant murder within 24 hours of birth) cases. This approach aims for sentencing that considers both the crime and the perpetrator
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
- Legal Studies
Background:
- Neonaticide, the murder of a newborn within 24 hours of birth, presents unique challenges.
- Current sentencing for neonaticide rarely incorporates therapeutic, rehabilitative, or corrective elements.
- The intersection of legal and mental health disciplines offers potential for improved outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the applicability of therapeutic jurisprudence to neonaticide cases.
- To examine the motives and perpetrators of neonaticide.
- To propose methods for integrating mental health perspectives into court sentencing for neonaticide.
Main Methods:
- Review of legal and psychological literature on neonaticide.
- Analysis of case studies and perpetrator profiles.
- Conceptual framework development for therapeutic jurisprudence application.
Main Results:
- Neonaticide is often linked to severe mental distress and lack of prenatal care.
- Existing legal frameworks may not adequately address the psychological factors involved.
- Therapeutic jurisprudence offers a model for more nuanced and effective sentencing.
Conclusions:
- Applying therapeutic jurisprudence to neonaticide can lead to more appropriate and potentially rehabilitative sentencing.
- Integrating mental health expertise into the legal process is crucial for addressing neonaticide effectively.
- Further research is needed to develop practical guidelines for courts.