Widmaier Charles analyzes SJC ruling on physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts
Widmaier M. Charles analyzes in the most recent edition of the Massachusetts Law Review the Supreme Judicial Court decision denying constitutional protection to physician-assisted suicides in Massachusetts.
The court in Kliger v. Attorney General determined that allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to mentally competent patients with terminal illnesses is not protected by the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights.
“Although we recognize the paramount importance and profound significance of all end-of-life decisions,” the Kliger majority wrote, “… we conclude that the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights does not reach so far as to protect physician-assisted suicide. We conclude as well that the law of manslaughter may prohibit physician-assisted suicide, and does so, without offending constitution protections.”
In the Case Comment article, Mr. Charles assesses the majority and dissenting opinions in the case and addresses the likelihood of the Massachusetts Legislature legalizing physician-assisted suicide.
Mr. Charles is a member of Massachusetts Law Review’s Editorial Board and is a Case Summary Contributor. His litigation practice includes representing health care professionals in administrative law appeals.