After a leaked Supreme Court draft ruling indicated that the High Court was in the historic Roe v. Wade is set to reverse the decision, which would effectively end federal abortion protections and impose restrictions in several states, with some state and local officials saying they would not prosecute abortion-related cases.
The draft decision, published in May by Politico, would give individual states rights on access to abortion. According to the abortion rights advocacy group Guttmacher Institute, 13 states have so-called trigger laws that govern Roe v. Wade would almost immediately ban or severely restrict abortion if reversed and the other 9 still have laws or constitutional amendments against the procedure. Before the 1973 judgment
Several states have also taken steps to restrict access to abortion in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.
But some state and local officials, even those in states that have trigger laws, have said they do not intend to prosecute people over the matter, possibly causing officials to clash with each other. keep.
Below is a list of local and state officials who have said they do not plan to implement abortion restrictions. (Note, this list may not be completely cumulative and may change):
DeKalb County, Ga.
According to US News & World Report, the DeKalb County district attorney has said she will not prosecute abortion providers or those seeking abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
Background on Georgia’s current abortion laws: A federal judge blocked legislation initially passed in 2019 that would ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, ruling when a fetal heartbeat is detected. It happened that we cry. Wade violates a precedent set in US News. & World Report noted. But that law could potentially go further if the High Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
Orleans Parish, La.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Rogers Williams said in a letter in May that he had no plans to prosecute cases related to abortion.
“My office is focused on pursuing accountability and justice for the most serious, violent crimes committed against our people. I prioritize tackling shooting, rape and carjacking to examine the choices women make in relation to their bodies. Cannot move to,” he wrote in a letter to several council members. shared on twitter,
Louisiana has a trigger law: Will Roe v. Wade should no longer apply, the measure would prevent anyone from giving abortion medicine to a pregnant woman or having an abortion.
Michigan
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) told The Guardian in an interview this month that she would not enforce an abortion ban in her state.
“I don’t want to see politicians take away the rights I had during my pregnancy for other women,” she told the news outlet.
“I don’t want to see medical emergencies where women are literally left to die on an operating table because of an ectopic pregnancy, or complications in pregnancy. I don’t want the doctor to say, ‘I’m out. I’m out on my license’ I’m not going to risk losing or going to jail,” she said.
Background on where things stand in Michigan: The state has a 1931 law, which Nessel says it does not intend to enforce, which makes it a crime to advertise or sell abortion drugs and to provide abortions. is an offense to commit unless it is for the purpose. To save the patient’s life, the Detroit Free Press noted.
According to PBS NewsHour, a handful of Democratic prosecutors in the state have also said they do not plan to enforce the 1931 law.
Durham County, NC
Durham County District Attorney Satana DeBerry has said she will not prosecute abortion providers or those seeking to terminate the pregnancies.
“Criminalizing personal health care decisions around abortion creates unsustainable choices for women – particularly women facing sexual assault and domestic violence – and undermines trust and fairness in our criminal legal system. does,” she says. said in a statement Released by his office on Twitter in May.
Background on the legality of abortion in the state: Abortion can be performed in North Carolina, although there are restrictions, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Radner Township, PA
The WPVI reported that an ordinance was passed by Radner Township earlier this week that says police cannot file criminal charges, make arrests, or aid in prosecutions in abortion cases.
Background on the legality of abortion in the state: Abortion in the state can be performed before 24 weeks. According to Guttmacher, abortion can be performed only after that point in situations of danger to health or life.
Austin and Bexar County, Texas
Austin City Council member Chito Vela has introduced a proposal that would make it a priority for abortion to be made arresting and criminally enforceable.
“The City of Austin should do everything we can to protect abortion rights. This includes decriminalizing abortion locally, which is similar to our policy toward marijuana arrests. No enforcement, no investigation, No arrests,” he tweeted in May,
According to Politico, his proposed proposal would limit resources used for abortion reporting and investigation and direct police to arrest people and enforce laws against the procedure.
Meanwhile, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales has said he will not enforce abortion cases.
“The sole proprietors I have are the citizens of Bexar County. I have the sole proprietors who are standing here — the voters,” he said according to Texas Public Radio. “They make decisions about whether I’m doing the right thing. I’m not worried about Ken Paxton. I’m not worried about Governor Abbott or anyone else in Austin.”
Texas abortion law: Abortion is not legal in the state when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks into the pregnancy. Private citizens can sue anyone who is found to be helping someone get an abortion.
Fairfax County, Va.
Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano said in may He will not prosecute anyone seeking an abortion.
Current Status of Abortion in Virginia: According to the Washington Post, during the first and second trimesters of a person’s pregnancy, abortion is permitted in the state, while the procedure must be certified by three doctors if there is a health or life risk. Legally performed in the third quarter.
Wisconsin
According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) said in May that he would not enforce a ban on abortion.
Current law in the state: Abortion is permitted for the first 20 weeks after fertilization, with some restrictions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. After that point, it can only be done legally if there is a risk to the life of the pregnant person or their risk is seriously compromised.
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