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 Dakota, assisting a suicide is considered a felony offense. According to South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) § 22-16-37, any person who intentionally provides the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide, or who participates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide, is guilty of a Class 5 felony. This law reflects the state's position on the illegality of aiding in suicide, and there is no exception for physicians or others who might assist in what some jurisdictions refer to as 'physician-assisted suicide' or 'death with dignity.' The penalties for a Class 5 felony in South Dakota can include imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.