WI · jury_instructions
Wis JI-Criminal 1195
Assisting Suicide
Statutory Definition of the Crime
Assisting suicide, as defined in § 940.12 of the Criminal Code of Wisconsin, is
committed by one who with intent that another take his own life assists that person to commit
suicide.
State's Burden of Proof
Before you may find the defendant guilty of this offense, the State must prove by
evidence which satisfies you beyond a reasonable doubt that the following three elements
were present.
Elements of the Crime That the State Must Prove
1. (Name of deceased) committed suicide. 1
The term "suicide" means the voluntary and intentional taking of one's
own life. 2
2. The defendant assisted (name of deceased) in committing suicide.
"Assisted" means that the defendant in some method or manner helped or aided
(name of deceased) to commit suicide. 3 It is not necessary that the defendant was at
the scene of the suicide at the time it occurred. 4
3. The defendant gave assistance to (name of deceased) with intent that (name of
deceased) take his own life.
"With intent that" means that the defendant had the purpose that (name of
deceased) commit suicide or that the defendant was aware that (his) (her) conduct
was practically certain to cause (name of deceased) to commit suicide. 5
Deciding About Intent
You cannot look into a person's mind to find out intent. Intent must be found, if found at
all, from the defendant's acts, words, ands statements, if any, and from all the facts and
circumstances in this case bearing upon intent.
Jury's Decision
If you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that all three elements of this offense have
been proved, you should find the defendant guilty.
If you are not so satisfied, you must find the defendant not guilty.
History
Wis JI-Criminal 1195 (2006). Release No. 44, 5/2006. © 2006, Regents, Univ. of Wis. Prepared by the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference with the University of Wisconsin Law School; posted by the Wisconsin State Law Library with the University's permission.
Provenance
- Source
- wilawlibrary.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-24
- Edition
- 2026-09-24
- Content hash
ff25568ec7929d55111f63aca3f8b90cf82682cde75d61746ad81797d4d711bd
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