Updated story: 19th JDC Judge Don Johnson extends the temporary order allowing abortion clinics to remain open; telling the state Attorney General’s office to provide him more information on the case, which he’ll review tomorrow. Plaintiffs in the case the state’s ban on abortions is vague and would cause delays in treatment for pregnant women. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office says the law is clear.
Monday, in Baton Rouge, a judge will hear arguments on a petition to block the state’s abortion trigger law from taking effect. A New Orleans judge punted the case back to the Capital City. Last week, 19th JDC Judge Don Johnson order the law on hold, pending the outcome of this morning’s hearing. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the judge has an important task to decide.
“Whether or not the plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success on the merits of their claim that the three trigger bans are unconstitutional because they are vague, overbroad and essentially indeterminate,” said Ciolino.
The suit was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, triggering Louisiana’s law into effect. Plaintiff say the law is too vague, and make that argument today. Ciolino thinks the hearing will NOT go their way.
“I would expect that after he hears all of the evidence that he will reject the claims, deny the preliminary injunction and abortions again will be illegal in Louisiana,” said Alford.
If the judge rules against the plaintiffs, Ciolino says they will undoubtedly file another challenge. However, he feels they are just delaying the inevitable.
“Ultimately, the Louisiana Supreme Court is going to address this sometime in the next couple of months and I would strongly suspect that after the court looks at it , it’s going to find the trigger laws are constitutional, they are not vague,” said Ciolino.
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