Q: If I, on my own took a lethal dose of pills and then asked somebody to sit with me until it was over,
...would that person be in any legal trouble in NY or NJ?
A:
Please don't do this. As attorneys, we are not qualified to counsel or advise in situations like this. But it is difficult to sit idle and say nothing when someone speaks of doing this. Please look into resources that are out there. There are hotlines, helplines, and other forms of counseling. There are likely people out there that love you who would be devastated by this. As for legal trouble, a criminal attorney could explain that best, but it is a felony in New York to intentionally assist in a suicide, so that could result in a dangerous situation for your friend with authorities. Please consider reaching out to resources out there for help and speaking with trained counselors who could offer compassionate assistance. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
Michael Francis Barrett agrees with this answer
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