A Sociological Jurisprudence for Parricide

Abstract

Although rates of violence committed by adults have recently been declining, murder by juveniles has continued a steady increase. Of particular interest are cases of parricide, which are receiving more attention in both the popular media and criminal justice research. As more research emerges addressing parricide, particular implications arise concerning the etiology, prosecution, and treatment of these offenders. Under existing law, only a medical finding of clinical psychosis can be used as a defense for parricide. An alternative explanation understands parricide as a rational response to long-standing abuse. By examining representative case studies, this article finds psychiatric explanations of parricide and self-defense by abused children inadequate explanatory models. A sociological jurisprudence is proposed that considers family disintegration, weakened moral values, drug abuse, and family violence and neglect as salient causes of parricide. Only by considering all the factors that create this offender can postoffense intervention be effective.