Criminal Charges for Aiding Suicide
First and foremost…
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255) or COPES (918.744.4800) for immediate assistance.
What does the law say?
Title 21 Section 813 - Aiding Suicide
Every person who willfully, in any manner, advises, encourages, abets, or assists another person in taking his own life, is guilty of aiding suicide.
Title 21 Section 814 - Aiding Suicide by Furnishing Weapon or Drug
Every person who willfully furnishes another person with any deadly weapon or poisonous drug, knowing that such person intends to use such weapon or drug in taking his own life, is guilty of aiding suicide, if such person thereafter employs such instrument or drug in taking his own life.
Title 21 Section 815 - Aiding an Attempt at Suicide
Every person who willfully aids another in attempting to take his own life, in any manner which by the preceding sections would have amounted to aiding suicide if the person assisted had actually taken his own life, is guilty of aiding an attempt at suicide.
Title 21 Section 817 - Aiding Suicide Penalty
Any person guilty of aiding suicide shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not less than seven (7) years.
Title 21 Section 818 - Punishment for Aiding an Attempt at Suicide
Every person guilty of aiding an attempt at suicide shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding two (2) years, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
What do I do now?
The topic of assisted suicide is very heated and controversial. In certain countries it is an accepted practice that is perceived to be a mercy that allows people to end the suffering that is associated with terminal illness or old age. However, that attitude is not represented in Oklahoma law, and assisting someone in a suicide, whatever the motive, is considered to be a very serious crime.
Whatever the circumstance, we are here to help. Call us today so that we can start working on your case and provide you with a zealous defense.