Child Destruction

English Legal System: Child Destruction

In the context of the English law, A Dictionary of Law provides the following legal concept of Child Destruction : An act causing a viable unborn child to die during the course of pregnancy or birth. (A foetus is generally considered to be viable, i.e. capable of being born alive, if the pregnancy has lasted at least 24 weeks.) If carried out with the intention of causing death, and if it is proved that the act was not carried out in good faith in order to preserve the mother’s life, the offence is subject to a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Compare abortion.