Premenstrual syndrome: a view from the bench.
The author reviews the use of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as a complete or partial legal defense in the United States. The basic arguments supporting and opposing the use of PMS in the insanity defense, in the diminished capacity defense, and as a mitigating factor in sentencing are briefly explained. The PMS defense has been unsuccessful in the United States, and its future success is unlikely. More likelihood exists that PMS will cease to be a continuing subject of law review articles and a basis for judicial determinations and instead will continue to be studied in the proper arena, the psychological/psychiatric community.
Benedek
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Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106.
D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007298:Insanity Defense; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States