古代刑事制度。該制度規(guī)定，對判處死、流、徒刑且父母或祖父母年老，又無成年子孫、期親照料的人，準(zhǔn)許其奉養(yǎng)尊親屬，直至其尊親屬終老后再執(zhí)行刑罰或改判。存留養(yǎng)親制度肇始于北魏，完善于唐朝，延續(xù)至明清，歷時千余年之久。存留養(yǎng)親制度體現(xiàn)了古代法律制度兼顧法理與人情的特點。

The system of permitting a criminal to support lineal elders is an ancient criminalregulation， under which a criminal sentenced to death， exile， or imprisonment was giventhe chance of temporarily delayed penalty execution for having dependent elderly parentsor grandparents that would otherwise be left destitute， so that he could take care of thembefore their death. It first emerged in the Northern Wei Dynasty， was improved in the TangDynasty and was handed down to the Ming and Oing dynasties. This system that lasted forover one thousand years embodies the emphasis of the ancient legal system on balancinglaw and compassion.

引例 Citation：

諸犯死罪，若祖父母、父母年七十已上，無成人子孫，旁無期親者，具狀上請。流者鞭笞，留養(yǎng)其親，終則從流，不在原赦之例。（《魏書·刑罰志》）

（死刑罪犯，如果祖父母或父母年七十歲以上，家中無成年子孫或者期親進行贍養(yǎng)，可以將案情上奏皇帝；流刑罪犯，則先處以鞭笞刑，責(zé)成其回家“留養(yǎng)其親”，待養(yǎng)老送終后，再執(zhí)行刑罰。在養(yǎng)親期間遇到一般赦免時，流刑不能赦免。）

As for criminals sentenced to death， if their grandparents or parents are over 70 years old andthere are no other adult family member or relatives to provide care， their cases should be reportedto the emperor. As for those who are to be exiled， they should be sent home to “take care of theirparents or grandparents” after receiving a penalty of whipping， and the sentence will be executedafter the death of their parents or grandparents. In case of a general remission during the period，pardon is not applicable for exile sentences. （The History of Northern Wei）