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 Alabama, assisting in a suicide is considered a criminal offense. Under Alabama Code Section 13A-6-2, a person commits the crime of manslaughter if he or she intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide, except in cases where the individual is a physician who prescribes or administers medical treatment to a terminally ill patient in accordance with the Alabama Terminal Condition Act. Manslaughter in this context is classified as a Class B felony, which can result in a prison sentence of between 2 and 20 years. Alabama does not recognize any form of legal assisted suicide, and there are no provisions in the state law that allow for physician-assisted death. The state's approach to this issue is consistent with its strong stance on preserving life and its conservative legal framework.