Consecuencias de asesorar el suicidio en Minnesota

Explicación Simple

Si alguien ayuda a otra persona a suicidarse, puede ir a la cárcel por muchos años. Pero si solo intenta ayudar y la persona no lo logra, la pena es menor. Los médicos que alivian el dolor no rompen esta ley si no quieren causar la muerte.

Es como si alguien intentara empujar a otra persona a un precipicio; si lo logran, enfrentan graves consecuencias, pero si solo intentan y la persona no cae, la sanción es más leve.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan se siente muy triste y habla con su amigo Carlos sobre quitarse la vida. Si Carlos lo anima a hacerlo, podría ser arrestado y enfrentar hasta 15 años de prisión. Sin embargo, si Carlos solo intenta ayudar a Juan y este no lo logra, la posible pena sería menor.

Penalidades

Hasta 15 años de prisión o multa de hasta $30,000 por asesorar suicidio; hasta 7 años o $14,000 por intento fallido.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Whoever intentionally advises, encourages, or assists another in taking the other's own life may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 15 years or to payment of a fine of not more than $30,000, or both. [See Note.] Whoever intentionally advises, encourages, or assists another who attempts but fails to take the other's own life may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than seven years or to payment of a fine of not more than $14,000, or both. (a) A health care provider, as defined in section145B.02, subdivision 6, who administers, prescribes, or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person's pain or discomfort, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, does not violate this section unless the medications or procedures are knowingly administered, prescribed, or dispensed to cause death. (b) A health care provider, as defined in section145B.02, subdivision 6, who withholds or withdraws a life-sustaining procedure in compliance with chapter 145B or 145C or in accordance with reasonable medical practice does not violate this section. A cause of action for injunctive relief may be maintained against any person who is reasonably believed to be about to violate or who is in the course of violating this section by any person who is: (1) the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who would commit suicide; (2) an heir or a beneficiary under a life insurance policy of the person who would commit suicide; (3) a health care provider of the person who would commit suicide; (4) a person authorized to prosecute or enforce the laws of this state; or (5) a legally appointed guardian or conservator of the person who would have committed suicide. A person given standing by subdivision 4, clause (1), (2),