New Hampshire
How Compassion in Dying v. Washington applies in New Hampshire: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Constitutional Law (Substantive Due Process; Right to Die).
In New Hampshire, the right to die is viewed within the broader context of individual's rights to personal autonomy and dignity. New Hampshire courts have not explicitly recognized a constitutional right to assisted suicide, but the principles of substantive due process may influence future legal interpretations.
New Hampshire does not have explicit statutes recognizing a right to assisted suicide; however, patient autonomy is protected under tort law, which acknowledges the right of individuals to refuse medical treatment.
The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed that patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, recognizing bodily autonomy in healthcare decisions.
The court held that guardians must consider a patient's wishes when making decisions regarding their medical care.
The Supreme Court ruled that existing laws do not criminalize assisting in suicide absent direct involvement in the act.
New Hampshire's approach to the right to die reflects a more cautious stance compared to the broader interpretations found in federal courts such as in Compassion in Dying v. Washington, which upheld the principle of substantive due process in relation to assisted suicide. While the federal court allowed for a potential right to die under certain circumstances, New Hampshire has yet to establish a clear statutory framework for assisted suicide.
The right to die and end-of-life issues may appear on the New Hampshire bar exam under constitutional law, particularly concerning substantive due process and the right to personal autonomy.