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 Florida, assisting suicide is considered a criminal offense under state law. According to Florida Statutes Section 782.08, titled 'Assisting self-murder,' any person who deliberately aids, abets, or assists another person in committing suicide is guilty of a felony of the second degree. This means that if someone provides the means or acts in any way to help another person end their life, they can face serious legal consequences, including imprisonment. The law does not distinguish between misdemeanors and felonies for this offense; it is specifically categorized as a felony, reflecting the severity with which the state views the act of assisting in a suicide.