Uncategorized

Oklahoma Will Appeal Ruling on Abortion Law

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s office confirmed yesterday that the state will file an appeal with the state Supreme Court of a judge’s decision to overturn a controversial abortion law. On Tuesday Oklahoma County District Judge Vicki Robertson overturned a state law requiring women seeking abortions must first receive an ultrasound and a description of the fetus from a doctor. She ruled that the law, which includes multiple additional provisions, violates the state’s constitutional directive limiting a law to only one, reports the Associated Press.

According to the New York Times the state’s appeal will argue that the law does not violate the state constitution because all of its provisions relate to abortion. Pending a ruling from the state Supreme Court, state Republican leaders say they will break the law into separate bills and pass them separately.

Janet Crepps, who opposes the law and is a deputy director at the Center for Reproductive Rights told Tulsa World, “We think the law is fatally flawed and it should be allowed to die its natural death and no attempts should be made to resurrect it.” She believes the state Supreme Court will agree with Judge Robertson’s ruling.

The law was never enforced due to an October 2008 temporary injunction following a challenge by the Tulsa clinic Reproductive Services, according to a press release from the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represented the clinic.

Sources:

Associated Press 8/19/09; Center for Reproductive Rights 8/18/09; New York Times 8/20/09; Tulsa World 8/19/09

Support eh ERA banner