![]() It also allows for abortions when a fetus is determined not to be viable because of serious medical issues. HB 481 makes exceptions in the case of rape and incest - if the woman files a police report first - and to save the life of the mother. That is before most women see a doctor to confirm they're pregnant. Previously, women in Georgia could seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, but House Bill 481 allows women to get abortions before a heartbeat is detected, which is at about six weeks gestation. The ramifications that could ripple through all levels of government and could take years to fully define. Rather, he said, women, doctors, nurses and pharmacists can be prosecuted under Georgia’s criminal abortion statute, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.Georgia's new restrictive anti-abortion law gives unborn children the same rights as a person. Until our community is rid of violent crime and sexual predators, I will not expend our limited resources to prosecute women and their doctors for personal healthcare decisions,” Williams said in a statement.ĭue to the technical language of HB 481, district attorneys could potentially seek a murder charge against someone who violates the “heartbeat” law.īut that was not the intent of the law, according to its lead sponsor, Rep. I fight child molesters who prey on our children. I fight abusive parents who put their kids in the hospital. “I fight violent gangs who kill children in the street. DA Gonzalez said she will not be prosecuting abortion cases.ĭA Williams said he will not be using resources to prosecute anyone who performs or gets an abortion. “We stand together in our firm belief that prosecutors have a responsibility to refrain from using limited criminal legal system resources to criminalize personal medical decisions.”ĭA Austin-Gatson said she plans to look at each case on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not to prosecute. “As elected prosecutors, ministers of justice and leaders in our communities, we cannot stand by and allow members of our community to live in fear of the ramifications of this deeply troubling decision,” the statement reads. Explore 2019: Brian Kemp signs anti-abortion ‘heartbeat’ legislation, sets up legal fightįair and Just Prosecution, a nationwide group of elected local prosecutors, released a statement saying prosecutors should not be criminalize abortion, calling it a “mockery of justice.” The group includes from Georgia: Boston, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson, Chatham County DA Shalena Cook Jones, Augusta Judicial Circuit DA Jared Williams, Macon Judicial Circuit DA David Cooke, Western Judicial Circuit (Athens) DA Deborah Gonzalez and Douglas County DA Dalia Racine. Raphael Warnock said he was outraged by the Supreme Court decision and vowed, “as a pro-choice pastor,” to fight for women’s rights. “We will continue that important work in the days and months to come.” “Working closely with the General Assembly, we have made significant strides to stand for life at all stages,” Kemp said in a statement. Kemp called the high court’s ruling a “historic victory for life” and said he looks forward to the impact the ruling will have on Georgia’s abortion law. ![]() “We have just filed a notice in the 11th Circuit requesting it reverse the District Court’s decision and allow Georgia’s Heartbeat Law to take effect.” Supreme Court’s decision in ‘Dobbs’ is constitutionally correct and rightfully returns the issue of abortion to the states and to the people – where it belongs,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I believe in the dignity, value and worth of every human being, both born and unborn. The law could now potentially go into effect immediately. The law has been stalled by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which was awaiting the Supreme Court decision. The law has not gone into effect due to legal challenges. Brian Kemp in 2019, outlaws most abortions when a doctor can detect fetal cardiac activity, which is typically around six weeks of pregnancy. House Bill 481, which was signed into law by Gov. ![]() I believe it is a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her own body and medical care, including, but not limited to, obtaining an abortion.” “As the elected District Attorney with charging discretion for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit (DeKalb County), I am vowing not to prosecute individuals pursuant to HB 481. “Across our country, reproductive rights and private healthcare matters are under attack and vulnerable to criminal inspection and prosecution,” she said. “I will not be using precious tax dollars allocated to this office to pursue prosecutions based on women’s personal healthcare choices,” she said in a statement.ĭeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston issued a similar statement.
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