Is attempted suicide a crime?

[FamoFunk]

In UK attempting to commit suicide is against the law, its also a crime to die in the houses of parliament

Not any-more, the UK law against suicide was repealed in the 1960's in the same act which criminalised assisting someone-else's suicide. No idea about the houses of parliament one, thought it's not like they can do much to you once you're dead!

I think it's because anyone who dies in the Houses or Parliament is entitled to a state funeral.

OT - I find it very odd how someone can be punished for trying to take their own life in certain countries.
I do agree with to an extent with it being punishable for assisting a suicide, though, as a lot of people are not in the right frame of mind when making decisions.

 

[lisalover1]

Attempted suicide is punishable by the death penalty.

 

[razer17]

Apparently here in the UK it used to be a crime to attempt suicide. Punishable by death. People a few centuries ago sure weren't smart.

 

[kasperbbs]

Apparently here in the UK it used to be a crime to attempt suicide. Punishable by death. People a few centuries ago sure weren't smart.

Seriously? I guess they thought 'if you want out that much we will do that for you, since you can't even do that properly'.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

No it isn't and no it shouldn't be.

/thread

 

[Alfador_VII]

In UK attempting to commit suicide is against the law, its also a crime to die in the houses of parliament

Yeah, there are members of Parliament who have almost certainly died there over the years, and they're always recorded as having died in the Ambulance on the way to Hospital

 

[MetalMagpie]

In the UK it's only a crime if you do it in a way that endangers other people. So people who try to jump off high places (over populated areas) but chicken out tend to get arrested. No idea if they actually get charged with anything though.

And of course there have been a small number of attempted suicides where the individual wasn't successful in killing themselves, but was successful in killing a loved one that they'd planned to take with them. That's obviously a crime!

It's also illegal to assist a person in committing suicide. (Although there are rumours that some doctors will - if asked - slip terminally-ill patients a little extra painkiller to help them on their way. This is not often talked about.)

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

In UK attempting to commit suicide is against the law, its also a crime to die in the houses of parliament

It's not illegal to attempt suicide. It was until 1961 when the Suicide Act was passed, but it isn't any more.

OT: Depending on where you live it might be. In the UK, as has just been explained, it isn't.

It will, however, get you involuntarily committed. That's not fun. The people in the state hospital are fucking crazy!

Yeah, I don't think you should force someone to go to a hospital if they've tried to commit suicide. If they wish to go then let them, but if they just want to die then it's their choice. That's why I'm for assisted suicide.

 

[Valanthe]

Not certain on the accuracy of my intel, but as I recall, here in Canada, attempted suicide isn't a crime, however, you will be put on "Suicide Watch" if anyone (usually an attending physician/police officer) believes that you may still try and finish the job. It's not quite a jail sentence, but you're aren't free to go about your business as usual either.

 

[darksakul]

Is attempted suicide a crime?

Depends on the state/ country you live in.

In the United Sates, in most states Suicide is a crime, in many cased the suicidal is shot by police any ways for not dropping there "weapon" fast enough. I know that sounds retarded but it happens.

Everywhere I check, it is illegal to assist in Suicide, many places its considered 1st degree murder.


To me Suicide is the most selfish, cowardly act one can do both from a legal and moral perspective.

Death cost lots of money, ether funeral or cremation it is pricy (thousands to tends of thousands), I know I had a aunt who recently passed away (from a heart attack.
Not to mention the cost/work of settling all affairs of the decease. You have to get a attorney to gain access to your dead family member's home legally, go though there bank and tax records. You have to file their taxes for that year. If they owe money, your next of Kin has now acquired your debts. And that regardless of the cost of death.

Suicide should be a punishable crime (not by death), I would make it mandatory for hospitalization/ treatment plus mandatory community service work when you are cleared with a good mental and physical bill of health.

To those who want to make Suicide legal STOP BEING A SELFISH.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

le snip

I voted for that. It pretty much covers everything I think about suicide, and (I think) it's roughly the same as the law here in the UK.

 

[NoOne852]

Actually, last I heard, suicide is punishable by death in New York... I don't recall where I heard that from but I hope it isn't an actual law, though, I wouldn't be suprised.

 

[RatRace123]

I don't think it should be, depending on certain circumstances I don't even think assisting in suicide should be.

If someone is really unhappy and they've exhausted every other option, why shouldn't they be able to end their lives if they so choose?

That being said, I think it's a cheap way out, and essentially giving up and letting life beat you, but if someone wants to do it, can't really stop them.

 

[Emperor Nat]

No. Ultimately someone's life is their own to do with as they please, whether that be dedicating to hard work, the study of law, saving people's lives, or simply taking their own. We as society may abhor this (the "taking their own" part, that is) and we may try to prevent this as best we can, but it is someone's right to claim their own life should they so choose. There's nothing criminal about that.

Unless of course you hold the opposite view and say that a person shouldn't have the legal right to kill themselves on a whim.

I think the criminalisation of scuicide essentially does this; from the stories I've heard the police (bearing in mind I'm in the UK here) can detain people and try to give them councelling.

Isn't that a better system than "Bad day? Gonna kill yourself? Well... okay."

(And scuicide -is- a crime in a lot of places. )

 

[A Raging Emo]

Suicide is not illegal in the UK, but assisting in someone in their suicide is.

I thought it was?

Well, I shan't add to that, as I'd simply contradict Gerishnakov's post, as I was under the impression it was illegal.

What's the point in making Suicide (of the self, not assisted suicide or mercy killing) illegal? Surely if someone was in a bad enough state as to try and end their own life, what is the point in treating them as a criminal?

 

[hawkeye52]

Don't know if said already but it used to be the case in England that the punishment for suicide was capital punishment

 

[Zac Smith]

The only reason suicide is not illegal in the UK is because you can't prosecute a dead person can you, that is why you can still get arrested for attempted suicide