Legal Definitions - Suicide

Definition: Suicide is when someone intentionally takes their own life.

In the United States, suicide is no longer considered a crime. However, some states still have laws that make attempted suicide a crime. Assisted suicide, which is when someone helps another person to commit suicide, is a crime in all U.S. states except for physician-assisted suicide in some states.

For example, if someone intentionally takes an overdose of medication with the intention of ending their life, this would be considered suicide. Another example would be if someone jumps off a building with the intention of killing themselves.

These examples illustrate the definition of suicide because in both cases, the person is intentionally taking their own life.