Louisiana seeks suspension of block on enforcement

Legal Compliance

A day after a state judge blocked enforcement of Louisiana’s abortion ban, state officials asked the same judge to suspend his own ruling while they pursue an appeal.

Lawyers for state Attorney General Jeff Landry and health secretary Courtney Phillips filed the request Friday in Baton Rouge. They want Judge Donald Johnson to suspend his ruling and allow enforcement of a ban that was put into state law in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling reversing abortion rights.

The Friday morning filing indicates the state plans to take the case to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge.

Johnson’s Thursday ruling, a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement, came in a lawsuit filed by a north Louisiana abortion clinic and members of the Medical Students for Choice organization, who argue that the law’s provisions are contradictory and unconstitutionally vague. The ruling, which followed an earlier temporary enforcement block, meant clinics in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans could provide abortions while the lawsuit continues.

Landry has predicted that the case will wind up at the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Related listings

  • Florida judge blocks new 15-week abortion ba

    Florida judge blocks new 15-week abortion ba

    Legal Compliance 07/05/2022

    A Florida judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a new 15-week abortion ban days after it took effect in the state, an expected move following an oral ruling last week in which he said the law violated the state constitution.Judge John C. Cooper issued...

  • Washington prepares for more patients seeking abortion

    Washington prepares for more patients seeking abortion

    Legal Compliance 06/18/2022

    While the nation waits for the Supreme Court’s opinion on a blockbuster abortion case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood of Washington is getting ready for an increase in out-of-state patients seeking an abortion.“We are ...

  • Wisconsin Supreme Court says COVID records can be released

    Wisconsin Supreme Court says COVID records can be released

    Legal Compliance 06/07/2022

    A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday said the state health department can release data on coronavirus outbreak cases, information sought two years ago near the beginning of the pandemic.The court ruled 4-3 against Wisconsin Manufacturers &...