{"id":374368,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-euthanasia-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:46","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:46","slug":"mississippi-euthanasia-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-euthanasia-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Euthanasia Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Mississippi Euthanasia Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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 thought of having a debilitating, painful, and terminal illness, or thinking of a loved one enduring it, can be heartbreaking. Naturally, we think of ways in which we can ease or end their suffering, and sometimes those thoughts turn to finding a peaceful way for them to pass away. Killing or allowing the death of a hopelessly sick or injured person is legally known as \u201ceuthanasia,\u201d and while most states ban it entirely, their laws can differ on the subject. Here is a brief overview of euthanasia laws in Mississippi.<\/p>\n

Euthanasia Laws<\/h2>\n

Euthanasia remains a hotly contested legal, social, and political issue and normally arises if a person has a terminal illness or similar life-limiting condition. Also known as physician-assisted suicide or mercy killing, the details and language of euthanasia laws can vary, although just about every state outlaws euthanasia<\/a> to some extent. Deliberate mercy killings are not allowed under Mississippi law, however withholding or withdrawal of "life-sustaining" measures may be permitted in some circumstances.<\/p>\n

Euthanasia Statutes in Mississippi<\/h2>\n

Mississippi\u2019s euthanasia statutes are listed in the table below.<\/p>\n\n

Code Section<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Mississippi Code 41-41-227<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Euthanasia Condoned in Statutes?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

This act does not authorize mercy killing, assisted suicide, or euthanasia.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Effect of Withholding of Life-Sustaining Procedures<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

The act does not authorize the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of health-care to the extent prohibited by other statutes.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Euthanasia Law History<\/h2>\n

Under federal law, there is no constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide. In 1997 the United States Supreme Court ruled that the government’s interest in preventing intentional killing and preserving life outweighs a citizen\u2019s liberty interest in having the choice to die and upheld a state law prohibiting euthanasia. <\/p>\n

As such, states are permitted to ban euthanasia, although most have made the distinction between a physician proactively ending a patient’s life (which is not permitted) and passively refusing or removing life-saving medical treatment (which normally is permitted). While a few states have gone farther and enacted laws protecting a patient’s right to die, even in those states doctors are only permitted to provide certain drugs at their patients\u2019 request and it is the patients themselves who must self-administer the doses; doctors are not allowed to administer lethal doses of drugs.<\/p>\n

Mississippi Euthanasia Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\n

The national debate on euthanasia, and its place in health and constitutional law, remains contentious. You can consult with a Mississippi health care attorney<\/a> if you would like legal assistance regarding a terminal health care matter. You can also find more resources and information on this topic by visiting FindLaw’s section on Patient Rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n \n Was this helpful?<\/span>\n \n Yes<\/span>\n \n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/g>\n \n \n <\/rect>\n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n \n No<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n \n \n \n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n