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 South Carolina, assisting suicide is considered a criminal offense. Under South Carolina law, specifically S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-1090, it is unlawful for a person to assist another in the commission of suicide. This includes providing the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide or participating in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide. The law classifies the offense as a felony, and a person convicted of assisting suicide may face penalties including imprisonment. The severity of the punishment can vary based on the circumstances of the case, but the act of aiding in suicide is taken seriously by the state's legal system. It is important for individuals to be aware of these laws and to understand that any participation in assisting suicide is subject to legal consequences in South Carolina.