Most states have laws against aiding a suicide or assisted suicide. These laws are usually found in the state’s statutes, and sometimes in the state’s court opinions or case law (common law). The severity level of these crimes range from misdemeanors to felonies.
In Arkansas, assisting in a suicide is considered a criminal act under state law. Specifically, Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-10-104 states that it is a Class C felony for a person to purposely assist another person in the commission of suicide. A Class C felony in Arkansas can result in a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. The law does not distinguish between physically aiding in the act of suicide and providing the means or information to commit suicide. There are no provisions in Arkansas law that allow for physician-assisted suicide, and the state does not have a Death with Dignity statute similar to those in some other states. Therefore, any form of assistance in the act of suicide is subject to criminal prosecution under Arkansas law.