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 Maryland, assisting someone in committing suicide is illegal and is considered a felony. Maryland law specifically prohibits aiding, advising, or encouraging another person to commit suicide. This is outlined in the Maryland Criminal Law Code, Section 3-102, which states that a person may not intentionally provide the physical means, or knowledge of the physical means, by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide. Violation of this law can result in serious legal consequences, including imprisonment. The state does not have a Death with Dignity statute or similar legislation that allows for physician-assisted suicide, which means that any form of assistance in another person's suicide is subject to criminal prosecution under Maryland law.