ACLU asks judge to block Alabama law authorizing appointment of lawyers for fetuses
The American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge on Wednesday to block an Alabama law authorizing judges to appoint a lawyer for the fetus when minors ask a judge for permission to have an abortion.
The ACLU suit, filed on behalf of Reproductive Health Services in Montgomery, contends the law requires the minor to go through a trial to obtain a constitutionally protected procedure, the Associated Press reports. Minors in Alabama who want an abortion have to appear before a judge if they don’t obtain parental permission for the procedure. The local district attorneys are also notified, and can call witnesses and question the minor.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Russ Walker heard arguments on the ACLU request for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, as well as arguments on the state’s request to dismiss the suit.
ACLU staff attorney Andrew Beck told AP that no other states have such a law. “This particular law is one of a kind,” Beck said.
Hat tip to How Appealing.