Suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life. This case from Maryland, explains that “suicide is the intentional taking of one’s own life, i.e., by his or her own hands.”
Suicide is no longer considered a crime in the United States; however, some states have attempted suicide listed as a crime in their criminal statutes. On the other hand, assisted suicide (when someone helps another to commit suicide) is a crime in all U.S. states, with physician-assisted suicide being an exception to this rule in some states.
See also: Assisted suicide; Physician-assisted suicide
[Last updated in August of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]