LANDMARK CASES IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY:
Right to Die
Washington v. Glucksberg, 1997
Case Summary:
Dr. Glucksberg, along with other doctors, terminally ill patients, and Compassion for Dying, challenged a Washington law prohibiting assisted suicide.
Glucksberg argued the Right to Die was a protected liberty interest under the 14th Amendment
The Supreme Court ruled that Washington’s law did not violate the 14th Amendment, and the state has a compelling interest in preserving life and protecting vulnerable individuals from mistreatment.
Key Concepts:
Under the 14th Amendment, states are permitted to pass a law prohibiting assisted suicide.
The “right” to assisted suicide is not a fundamental liberty interest.