Suicide Should Not Be A Criminal Offense.

This Is NOT A Debate As To Whether Suicide Is Morally Right/ Wrong; It Is About The Classification Of Suicide As A Criminal
Offense. Suicide Has Been Illegal In Many Western Countries. But With The Increasing Secularism And Doubts About The
Pointlessness Of Criminalizing It, The Criminalization Of Suicide Has Ceased In Some Countries, (Including UK, Which
Decriminalized It In 1961). But Many Have Again Begun To Ask : Should Suicide Again Be A Criminal Offense? The House Says
Definitely Not. (Please Reason Your Argument, Rather Than Offer Opinion Only.)

Agreed. Civil law ought to be applied

only in the interest of protecting a
person's rights from being violated by
other people. Harm from others is the
only justifiable reason for legislation.
Laws to ought not be made to protect
people from themselves or to benefit the
life of people beyond the protection of
their rights (generally).

davidsuggs 04 Apr 2010

18:39

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People have their rights to live by their decisions. The law shouldn't interfere with it.

Douglas 28 Feb 2010 14:05

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Suicide should be one's decision, and if one want to do it without harming anybody else's
lives who want to live, then go ahead.

Inaccurate 02 Jan 2010 22:29

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What's the point of making it illegal if people succeed in suicide. You can't charge a
dead body with murder.

Tromanator 12 Dec 2008 22:25

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If the suicide is successful it would not matter anyway, unless the Prosecution plans to
charge a corpse.

MaYbCaKe 05 Nov 2008 14:03

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Let's be fair; who are they going to prosecute.

Snipex 27 Sep 2008 14:44

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I don't think its a good thing to do but as long as they don't hurt someone else in doing so
then i don't see the problem in it....(hurt as in physically not emotionally... There will
always be someone hurt emotionally)

pikachu 26 Sep 2008 02:32

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I believe that suicide is wrong, besides the fact that it is a cowardly way to get away
from life's problems. But what do they expect to do by making it illegal? Put them in jail
after they kill themselves? Even after they don't succeed at killing themselves, they
usually end up being living vegetables

ckell663 25 Sep 2008 01:09

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To put it bluntly, feel free to end yourself(Unless your Albert Einstein ), but don't make
it messy. We have to clean it up when your gone. If your smart enough to seek help do it.

Specter87 29 Aug 2008 01:42

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Suicide is a terrible thing for the victim and family but what you going to do, arrest them
or give them a fine. Some how I don't see it being very successful or easy to monitor.

kddan 22 Aug 2008 21:56

2 Comments
Did you ever notice that the only people who get arrested for attempting suicide are
the ones who aren't very good at it? The successful ones are beyond prosecution,
they're dead, it's just the ones who screw up that actually have to worry about legal
consequences.

How silly is that?

by Cephus

22 Aug 2008 22:25

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Did
you ever notice that the only pe
suicide are the ones w ho aren't
are beyond prosecution, they're

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Did
you ever notice that the only pe
suicide are the ones w ho aren't
are beyond prosecution, they're

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 If
someone is at such a low ebb
then w hy should they punished
its not suicide that is the offens

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I don't think that jail or fines can make people stop and think "oh, I may not want to
shoot myself cause It might bring me criminal charges if I survive it."

naturegirl 31 Jul 2008 18:18

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Suicide hurts everyone around. What is the point of hurting them more by making their
friend/relative a criminal and possibly charging them a fine?

I think the reason suicide hurts people around is because it is a secret. People keep it a
secret because it is "bad" and illegal. If it were legal I believe people would ask
questions like "should I kill myself?" and actually get the help they need instead of
fearing consequences.

If it did encourage more people to kill themselves that would only be good for us. Less
people that are unfit to survive will survive. We don't need more and more people who
contemplated suicide their whole lives breeding.

JohnShier 24 May 2008 06:28

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What is the point... If they are dead what is the point in giving them a criminal record.

calum-r 19 May 2008 20:52

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These people need help, not a criminal record.

ibanex_87 06 May 2008 21:31

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Technically, suicide is not a crime. But attempted suicide it. For obvious reasons I think.

bishop 06 May 2008 21:30

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How do punish a dead body?

pusspuss 01 May 2008 05:36

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Well, seeing as it's your own life, people should, and do do whatever the hell they want
with it. Waste it, live it, or do something great with it, it's all up to the individual.
Control over the choice of staying alive should never be revoked by law, its the most
basic human right. And who is prosecuted under this law? Do you mean euthanasia?

Jakers 28 Apr 2008 22:33

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It doesn't matter if its legal or not. If someone wants to end THEIR OWN LIFE, i am
inclined to think that's their prerogative. And exactly who is indicted on this criminal
offense? A corpse? Its ludicrous.

cstrand31 14 Apr 2008 04:00

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I do not agree to this topic rather I find it more hilarious. What I want to know that if
suicide should be made a criminal offense, then who is going to be charged? Can a dead
man be charged in any way or what is the benefit laying in charging a dead person? I do
not find any logical view in making suicide a criminal offense. No one should be
punished for other’s committing suicide. Then who would be the guilt to punish?
Making this a criminal offense would not help to decrease the rate of suicide in any way.
Because deliberation of suicide is a state of mental disability and what is more effective
is only the professional counseling. Legalizing would not make any difference because
the person who commits suicide does not fear from any law or something like that.

sudipa 23 Feb 2008 00:15

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Hard to charge dead people.

-125_ 20 Feb 2008 22:29

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I agree because it's the person's choice to commit suicide and should not be a criminal
offense.

Gbeau12 15 Feb 2008 22:22

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Who are they gonna charge if the man is dead

its that simple

taffy4jc 09 Feb 2008 04:49

1 Comment
That is true man how are you going to charge them if their dead?

by Gbeau12

15 Feb 2008 22:24

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 That is true man how are you g

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That is true man how are you g

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There is no logic behind criminalizing suicide. Even if it is illegal, the person

committing suicide has absolutely nothing to fear, because by the time a punishment can
be chosen, the person will obviously be dead. No one can be punished for someone else
committing suicide, because suicide is a choice and does not affect those around them in
any way that is protected by law, and I'm fairly sure that having someone emotionally
hurt you is not illegal.

Eb,
Suicide can neither be encouraged nor discouraged by law, because the contemplation of
suicide is a state of mental disability and requires professional counseling. Legalizing it
would do nothing to encourage suicide, because those who commit suicide have nothing
to fear from the law (and just because it is legal doesn't mean everyone will all say "hey,
let's go commit suicide, it's legal"). It would do nothing to discourage it, either, as, again,
those who commit suicide have nothing to fear from the law. It is their choice.

The_Alex 01 Feb 2008 22:24

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Are You Saying attempting A Suicide Should Not Be A Criminal Offense. If yes i agree
on this... But, first of all Suicide is not an Offense.
What is an Offense?
An intentional unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes
an obligation for damages.

Who is damaged?

It can be intentional
It can be unlawful act

But it cannot cause damage to another.

The reasons behind the intentional act & person behind the cause is doing the offense.

Suicide is a mental state which needs to cured by counsellings

Stuntman 19 Dec 2007 13:34

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How do you punish someone who is dead?

hippiewill 11 Dec 2007 23:26

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I have never been able to see the logic behind criminalizing suicide. As death pointed
out, if one succeeds, there can be no prosecution. If an attempt fails, doesn't making a
criminal out the person make matters worse? What kind of punishment would be
appropriate?

I don't know who is asking the question about returning suicide to the status of a criminal
offense, but I can imagine they are the same people who feel they have the right to
determine that what is suitable for themselves should apply to everyone.

Cancer11 characterized suicide as a gutless and cowardly act. As one who once
considered it, I can say it would have taken more courage than I had in order to do it. It's
not as easy as cancer11 thinks it is. At the same time, there are those who no longer have
the strength to go on. It's not a question of having the courage to face their problems.

I don't think legislation against suicide was ever a deterrent. When it was a criminal act,
it didn't stop people from attempting suicide. An individual who is in such a desperate
state hardly stops to consider the fact that he or she may be breaking the law. So what's
the point of re-criminalizing it?

norefturn 11 Dec 2007 20:12

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Suicide should be a criminal offense as it is a waste of life. Every religion and society
condemns the violation of the sanctity of human life. We don’t see people nowadays to
talk about human obligation. This obligation teaches us to preserve all life, including our
own.

Suicide is an act which not only causes pain the individual at the time of death but also
to the loved ones that are left behind. It is a cowardly act rather than facing the problems
and hardships, one thinks it an easy exit.

When you prohibit suicide, you send the message that it is not acceptable by the society.
Legislation is a good social tool to limit the individual action. There are many people
who try and fail to commit suicide never attempt it again. Many who do this gutless act
are under emotional stress, substance abuse, shame, avoiding pain and financial
difficulties. Society should give a clear message and stand for what it believes is right
and wrong.

cancer11 09 Dec 2007 12:50

3 Comments
First, you are on the wrong side, as you disagree with the debate resolution
statement.

I disagree with your viewpoint, but your argument is well-stated and your reasoning
mostly clear-- Except for 2 points: 1) You have written that every society condemns
the sanctity of human life. (I don't think that is what you meant to say.) and 2) I would
say that causing pain to self and loved ones and the characterization of cowardly act is
irrelevant to the argument, as we do not criminalize all acts of cowardice nor hurtful
acts.

by amore01

09 Dec 2007 13:35

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Suicide_Should_N 25
 First,
you are on the w rong side, as
statement.

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Suicide_Should_N 25

First,
you are on the w rong side, as
statement.

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Suicide_Should_N 26

Yes
you are right that not all cow ar
cow ardly act leads to the depriv
all the family members. The fam

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Your
response to the debate and yo
assuming facts that may not ex
be family involved? Some take

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 By the way, if someone tries to commit suicide and they succeed, and they die, we can't
punish them anymore. We offer his funeral and that's the end.

On the contrary, if someone tries to commit suicide and they remain alive, we think, it's
a crime, and it's a crime because his life is saved. Now he should be punished! Isn't it
funny?

So I'm in agreement with House, but I'd also like to say, that we should not show
dramas, movies, other programs and especially computer games, on which governments
of all countries should have proper checks in place because they are the biggest
perpetrator in regards to propagation of violent acts.

death 09 Dec 2007 06:37

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AGAINST

Suicide should
be criminal
offence. THIS
WILL
HOPEFULLY
stop others from
doing the
same ,Atlast
when one is in
jail he cant
commit
suicide.Someone
who decides to
comit suicide is
a coward who
fail to enoy life
 eve94 30 Apr 2010 07:24

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They don't make it illegal so they can charge the dead guy, they make it illegal so they
can charge anyone who helped him as accomplices.

The law is meant to deter people from aiding others in committing suicide.

ur_wrong 26 May 2008 02:35

1 Comment
Does anyone remember Dr. Kevorkian??

by Longhorn

29 May 2008 19:57

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Does anyone remember Dr. Kev

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Does anyone remember Dr. Kev

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I think it should be illegal, if there is one insane person out there thinking of committing
suicide, but does not do it because it is illegal. Then it is a good thing. There is crime,
and there is punishment. Suicide should be a crime, but it carries it's oun punishment.
Attempted suicide should definitely be a crime. These people need help, and obviously
refused to get it on their own. Will their next attempt be murder suicide?

Driver 07 May 2008 21:31

2 Comments
Do you really think someone who is so low and depressed that death seems the
better option is going to stop and think whether its illegal or not!!!

by julieann

06 Jul 2008 15:02

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Do
you really think someone w ho i
the better option is going to stop
not!!!

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Do
you really think someone w ho i
the better option is going to stop
not!!!

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Also,
w hat gives society the right to
not? If someone is in such a sta
surely they should be allow ed t

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Yes, there is the issue regarding freedom of choice, and also the fact that there would no
one who could be 'charged', as such.

However, the legalisation of suicide would only encourage more suicide deaths amongst
society, and this surely cannot be a good thing - to encourage more people to take their
precious lives would be terrible.

jsh4 21 Feb 2008 04:04

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Suicide has negative effects on all involved, and indeed on society as a whole. Also, as
Cancer11 said, human life is invaluable, and once destroyed there is no going back or
changing one's mind. To legalise suicide would be to encourage it (or at least to stop
discouraging it), so I think it should remain illegal.

eb110262 11 Dec 2007 22:29

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