Battered Woman Syndrome as a Criminal Defense

Abstract

Battered woman syndrome, although not a diagnosable mental disorder, is being successfully used as a criminal defense at both the federal and the state level. The authors briefly critique the clinical concept of battered woman syndrome and review current federal and state case law relevant to its use as a criminal defense. Despite the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to hear a case involving testimony concerning battered woman syndrome, its scope as a criminal defense is expanding.