{"id":371323,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-euthanasia-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:45","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:45","slug":"alabama-euthanasia-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-euthanasia-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Euthanasia Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alabama Euthanasia Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The act of directly helping someone who no longer wants to live end their life — or euthanasia<\/a><\/i> — is illegal in all states, but a few states do allow physician-assisted suicide. While physician-assisted suicide technically is not euthanasia, since the doctor’s role is limited to prescribing lethal drugs that the patient takes him- or herself, the term is often used to describe this. In any event, a handful of states do allow doctor-assisted suicide.<\/p>\n

However, all states allow patients to be taken off of artificial life support if they consent to it. This requires permission from the patient, usually stated in a living will<\/a> and often carried out by an individual named in a durable power of attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Is the Penalty for Euthanasia Under Alabama Law?<\/h2>\n

Anyone who intentionally causes another individual’s death, even if done out of compassion, is considered murder in the state of Alabama (based on common law). This carries a sentence of life in prison or even the death penalty.<\/p>\n

The basics of Alabama euthanasia law are summarized in the following chart. See FindLaw’s Patient Rights<\/a> section for related articles.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/b><\/td>\n22-8A-10; 22-8A-9(a)<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Euthanasia Condoned in Statutes?<\/b><\/td>\nEuthanasia not condoned or authorized nor is allowed any affirmative act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Effect of Withholding of Life-Sustaining Procedures<\/b><\/td>\nWithholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures in accordance with chapter 22-8A shall not constitute assisting suicide.<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are always subject to change, usually through new legislation, ballot initiatives, or rulings from high court judges. Be sure to contact an Alabama health care attorney<\/a> or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\n

Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Laws in General<\/h2>\n

Most states do not recognize a patient’s right to end his or her own life, even though all states allow the withdrawal of life support. It is a highly controversial topic. Opponents of assisted suicide say it is counter to a physician’s role as healer, while proponents say the decision to end one’s life in the absence of hope (i.e. terminal illness) is a basic human right.<\/p>\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\n