Shevchenko O. Criminal liability for maternal infanticide

The paper presents the results of the study of criminal liability for maternal infanticide. Objective and subjective features of formal components of crime provided by article 117 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine are investigated. The moments marking the beginning of human life and beginning of criminal-legal protection of human life are defined. Special attention is paid to the state of the mother while committing maternal infanticide; this state lessens social danger of the crime under scrutiny, however is characteristic of not every incidence of infanticide. Separate issues concerning awarding of punishment for intentional maternal infanticide are subject to analysis. On the basis of the received results the author makes scientifically grounded suggestions directed at the perfection of Ukrainian criminal legislation that provides liability for maternal infanticide (thus, a new wording of article 117 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is presented).