Quick Facts
- Latin:
- Farinaccius
- Born:
- October 30, 1544, Rome
- Died:
- October 30, 1618, Rome (aged 74)
- Notable Works:
- “Praxis et Theorica Criminalis”
- Subjects Of Study:
- jurisprudence
- penology
- torture
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Prospero Farinacci
Italian jurist
Also known as: Prospero Farinaccius
Prospero Farinacci (born October 30, 1544, Rome—died October 30, 1618, Rome) was an Italian jurist whose Praxis et Theorica Criminalis (1616) was the strongest influence on penology in Roman-law countries until the reforms of the criminologist-economist Cesare Beccaria (1738–94). The Praxis is most noteworthy as the definitive work on the jurisprudence of torture.
After studying law at Padua and earning a reputation as an advocate, Farinacci entered papal service under Clement VIII and was procurator general to Paul V. A staunch churchman, Farinacci upheld the inviolability of the confessional seal (i.e., the guarantee that a confession is between the confessor, the priest, and God alone) against all theories of state necessity.
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