Legal Challenge Seeks to Overturn Arkansas’ Pro-Life Law
Little Rock, Ark. — On Wednesday, attorneys with a pro-abortion group filed a lawsuit in Pulaski County to overturn Arkansas laws that generally prohibit abortion except to save the life of the mother.
Attorneys with Amplify Legal are representing plaintiffs who want to strike down the law. Amplify Legal describes itself as “the litigation arm of Abortion in America.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin told media outlets on Wednesday that the case on its face appears to have little legal merit.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Arkansas’ law prohibiting abortion took effect. The measure contains exceptions for abortions performed to save the life of the mother.
Last year, the Arkansas Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill clarifying the state’s abortion law. The measure had strong, bipartisan support among lawmakers, and Governor Sanders signed it into law last March.
Wednesday’s lawsuit from the attorneys at Amplify Legal alleges that “Arkansas’s abortion bans are vague, confusing, and worse, extremely dangerous.” But the truth is, Arkansas’ pro-life laws are very clear — and abortion is dangerous, because it takes the life of an unborn child, and it carries serious risks and consequences for women.
Arkansas law prohibits abortion except when the mother’s life is in danger from a physical disorder, illness, or injury. The law also clearly outlines how doctors decide if an abortion is necessary to save the mother’s life. Under state law, physicians use “reasonable medical judgment” to determine whether an abortion is necessary. This is the very same medical and legal standard used to make other important medical decisions.
Arkansas’ pro-life laws also contain specific exceptions for special circumstances, such as treating ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages as well exceptions for medical procedures like chemotherapy that may carry risks for unborn children.
Arkansas has been named the most pro-life state in America for the past six years, and lawmakers have enacted excellent legislation protecting women and unborn children from abortion and supporting women with unplanned pregnancies. This lawsuit would undo that good work.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states like Arkansas are free to enact laws restricting or prohibiting abortion, and we are confident our courts ultimately will uphold Arkansas’ pro-life laws.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
