North Carolina appeals decision striking down abortion ban


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State officials are appealing a federal judge's decision that struck down North Carolina's ban on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy except in a medical emergency.

A lawyer for North Carolina's Department of Justice filed the notice of appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, hours before the appeal window was to have expired.

The department is led by Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, who supports abortion rights. Stein said Monday night that he won't participate in the appeal because of his stance, leaving it to career lawyers in his agency. The department filed the notice after conferring with Republicans leading the General Assembly, which approved the challenged law. Department lawyers represent the state in legal actions.

Stein publicly criticized recent laws in states to restrict abortion __ as well as attempts by President Donald Trump's administration to impose additional hurdles for women seeking abortions.

"In this hostile environment, it is critical for those who support women's freedoms to speak out," Stein said in a news release. "I intend to do so, and for that reason, I am unwilling to participate in the appeal of the ruling that struck down the current version of the North Carolina abortion statute."

U.S. District Judge William Osteen declared the law unconstitutional because the 20-week limit prohibited some abortions before a fetus could live outside the womb. His judgment would allow some women to obtain abortions later but prior to viability.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

U.S.
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast