Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

The criminal defense attorneys at Baker Associates have successfully represented individuals charged with homicide offenses in Tennessee. Criminal homicide is the unlawful killing of another person. Under Tennessee law, criminal homicide is broken down into seven classifications: First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Assisted Suicide, and Vehicular Homicide.

According to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-215, a person commits the offense of Assisted Suicide who:
(1) Intentionally provides another person with the means by which such person directly and intentionally brings about such person's own death;
or
(2) Intentionally participates in a physical act by which another person directly and intentionally brings about such person's own death;
and
(3) Provides the means or participates in the physical act with:
(A) Actual knowledge that the other person intends to bring about such person's own death;
and
(B) The clear intent that the other person bring about such person's own death.

However, the following acts are not considered Assisted Suicide:
(1) Withholding or withdrawing medical care;
(2) Prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications or performing medical procedures calculated or intended to relieve another person's pain or discomfort but not calculated or intended to cause death, even if the medical procedures may hasten or increase the risk of death;
or
(3) Failing to prevent another person from bringing about their own death.

Assisted Suicide:
To be found guilty of Assisted Suicide, the State of Tennessee must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) That the defendant provided another person with the means or participated in a physical act by which the person directly or indirectly brought about his or her own death;
and
(2) That the defendant provided the means or participated in the physical act:
(a) with actual knowledge that the other person intended to bring about his or her own death;
and
(b) with the clear intent that the other person bring about his or her own death;
and
(3) That the defendant acted intentionally, i.e., it was the defendant's objective desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.

In homicide cases, the mental state of the accused at the time he or she allegedly killed must be carefully considered in order to determine whether the accused will be convicted of First or Second Degree Murder, Assisted Suicide, or another offense.

It is important to hire a Tennessee criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with Murder, Assisted Suicide, or another homicide offense. Assisted Suicide is a Class D felony. A person convicted of Assisted Suicide is punished by imprisonment from 2 years to 12 years and can be fined up to $5,000.00.

If you or a close friend or relative has been charged with Assisted Suicide or another homicide offense in Knoxville, Sevierville, or Maryville, Tennessee, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible. Our team of attorneys will work quickly to investigate and prepare your defense.

Sources: Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-216; Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111; T.P.I. Crim. 7.10.