Thomas wrote:Joe, if you're still reading, I have a (somewhat) tangential question. I know suicide is no longer a crime in America. But to what degree is assisting suicide still a crime? For example, if I borrowed your gun, then shoot myself in the head with it, would you be legally liable for something? Would it make a difference if I told you what purpose I was borrowing the gun for?
I don't know how other states treat this, but here's what the Illinois criminal code says:
[url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+12&ActID=1876&ChapAct=720%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B5%2F&ChapterID=53&ChapterName=CRIMINAL+OFFENSES&SectionID=60636&SeqStart=16500000&SeqEnd=23700000&ActName=Criminal+Code+of+1961%2E](720 ILCS 5/12-31)[/url]
Sec. 12-31. Inducement to Commit Suicide.
(a) A person commits the offense of inducement to commit suicide when he or she does either of the following:
(1) Coerces another to commit suicide and the other person commits or attempts to commit suicide as a direct result of the coercion, and he or she exercises substantial control over the other person through (i) control of the other person's physical location or circumstances; (ii) use of psychological pressure; or (iii) use of actual or ostensible religious, political, social, philosophical or other principles.
(2) With knowledge that another person intends to commit or attempt to commit suicide, intentionally (i) offers and provides the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide, or (ii) participates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide.
For the purposes of this Section, "attempts to commit suicide" means any act done with the intent to commit suicide and which constitutes a substantial step toward commission of suicide.
(b) Sentence. Inducement to commit suicide under paragraph (a)(1) when the other person commits suicide as a direct result of the coercion is a Class 2 felony. Inducement to commit suicide under paragraph (a)(2) when the other person commits suicide as a direct result of the assistance provided is a Class 4 felony. Inducement to commit suicide under paragraph (a)(1) when the other person attempts to commit suicide as a direct result of the coercion is a Class 3 felony. Inducement to commit suicide under paragraph (a)(2) when the other person attempts to commit suicide as a direct result of the assistance provided is a Class A misdemeanor.
In short, if you borrowed my gun and then shot yourself, I wouldn't be liable for assisting your suicide unless I was aware that you intended to kill yourself. If you succeed, I'd be guilty of a class 4 felony (1-3 years imprisonment). If you try and fail, I'd be guilty of a class A misdemeanor (up to a year's imprisonment). I imagine that other states have similar laws.
