Category: Judicial

By Holly Gatling, Executive Director, South Carolina Citizens for Life COLUMBIA, S.C – On Thursday, January 5, 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court, in a 3-2 decision, overturned the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. “We are beyond disappointed in the South Carolina Supreme Court’sdecision” said Lisa Van Riper, President of South Carolina Citizens …

By Dave Andrusko If you thought the status of abortion in Arizona was already mind-numbingly complicated, a decision Friday by the state Court of Appeals makes that seem like child’s play. “An Arizona court has ruled that abortion doctors cannot be prosecuted under a pre-statehood law that criminalizes nearly all abortions yet was barred from being …

Editor’s note, On December 21, the 6th Court of Appeals ruled that a 10 foot “buffer zone” around the EMW Abortion Clinic established by a Louisville metro ordinance violates the First Amendment. Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Sutton wrote “Sisters for Life, several individuals, and another pro-life organization wish to offer leaflets and compassionate, if sometimes unwelcome, speech to women entering …

By Dave Andrusko For now at least, the Wyoming Supreme Court has declined to weigh in on a lawsuit that has temporarily halted a ban on abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or physical risk to the mother’s life. Ninth District Judge Melissa Owens asked the state’s highest court to respond to 12 questions regarding the constitutionality …

By Dave Andrusko The 6th Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that a 10 foot “buffer zone” around the EMW Abortion Clinic established by a Louisville metro ordinance violates the First Amendment. Addia Wuchner, RN, Executive Director of Kentucky Right to Life, called the decision “A Christmas Gift of Life.” She wrote “Kentucky Right to Life, Sisters for Life and …

By Wesley J. Smith The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled 4–2 that the state constitution does not compel allowing physician-assisted suicide. From Kligler v Attorney General:  Although we recognize the paramount importance and profound significance of all end-of-life decisions, after careful consideration, we conclude that the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights does not reach so far as to …

By Bridget Sielicki The Montana Supreme Court heard arguments on December 14 in a challenge to a ruling from earlier this year which determined that a state law stipulating that only medical doctors can commit abortions is unconstitutional. In February, Judge Mike Menahan permanently voided a 2005 state law that prohibited non-physicians — like midwives and nurse practitioners — from …

By Dave Andrusko Scott Peterson, convicted of murdering his wife and eight month old unborn son, was denied his bid for a new trial. Peterson’s attorneys “have argued that a new trial is warranted because juror Richelle Nice was biased and lied in her questionnaire to get on the jury,” according to Fox News’ Stephanie Pagones. “[P]rosecutors …

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts decided on December 19 to reject a challenge to Massachusetts prohibition of assisted suicide, finding that there is no right to assisted suicide in the Massachusetts Constitution. EPC-USA is incredibly pleased by this decision. EPC-USA was the only group to submit a friend-of-the-court …

State’s highest court says a question best left to state lawmakers, not the courts. By Dave Andrusko One would think that a liberal bastion such as Massachusetts would be easy pickings for groups such as Compassion & Choices, formally known as the Hemlock Society. But in Kligler v, Healy, Massachusetts highest court handed down a decision this morning that …

 By Dave Andrusko The First District Court of Appeals on Friday denied Ohio Attorney General David Yost’s request to appeal Judge Christian Jenkins’ decision to block its Heartbeat Act. While this block on S.B.23 is in effect, abortions can be performed up to 20 weeks. “Regardless of what transpires at the lower courts, Ohio heartbeat …

MINNEAPOLIS — Today marks the anniversary of the Doe v. Gomez Minnesota Supreme Court decision that requires a policy of abortion-on-demand and taxpayer funding of abortion. It has now led to the elimination of most of Minnesota’s longstanding abortion-related laws, including informed consent and parental notification requirements.  “The Doe v. Gomez ruling got the Minnesota Constitution wrong and imposed …