In most nations and in most states in the US, aiding in a suicide is a crime. However, suicide or attempted suicide itself is not illegal, although an attempted suicide will often result in a short term involuntary psychiatric commitment for a psychiatric assessment and evaluation. The state of Oregon is the only state within the United Statres that currently has legalized PAS. A constitutional challenge to the Washington State law was dismissed by the US Supreme Court in 1997, with the court refusing to recognize PAS as a constitutional right.
In most nations and in most states in the US, aiding in a suicide is a crime. However, suicide or attempted suicide itself is not illegal, although an attempted suicide will often result in a short term involuntary psychiatric commitment for a psychiatric assessment and evaluation. The state of Oregon is the only state within the United Statres that currently has legalized PAS. A constitutional challenge to the Washington State law was dismissed by the US Supreme Court in 1997, with the court refusing to recognize PAS as a constitutional right. The Supreme Court left it to individual states to address the legality of PAS through legislation, but encouraged efforts to improve care of the dying.
Despite the apparent illegality of PAS in most states, no physician has ever been convicted for PAS. Dr. Timothy Quill was investigated but not indicted for his participation in the suicide of a patient after he published his account of the incident. Jack Kevorkian was convicted for second degree murder for an act that more closely approximated active euthanasia.