Florida Abortion Law Gets Major Ruling: It's Unconstitutional!
A Florida judge on Thursday said in a verbal ruling that a temporary statewide injunction would be filed against the sunshine state's abortion law to stop it from taking effect on Friday.
The verbal ruling was made by Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge John Cooper, according to CNN. However, Copper's ruling would not take effect until he signed a written order, which he promised would happen "immediately."
Copper pointed out that the 15-week abortion ban signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis two months ago was "unconstitutional," prompting him to block it from taking effect at midnight.
"I'm not here to litigate abortion," Cooper said, adding that he is only litigating the right to privacy in the Sunshine State.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz also blasted the law signed by DeSantis, claiming that it was a "gross interference in personal medical decisions that should be between patients and their doctors."
Diaz then stressed that politicians have no business in restricting the health freedoms of Florida's citizens.
For the time being, abortion in Florida will remain legal until 24 weeks into pregnancy, making the state one of the most tolerant of the procedure in the south.
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Ron DeSantis on Florida Judge's Decision
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will appeal the decision announced by Judge Cooper on Thursday, according to his chief executive's spokesperson Bryan Griffin.
Griffin underscored that the governor would appeal Cooper's decision up to the Supreme Court. He also highlighted that the law signed by the Florida governor would "withstand all legal challenges."
"The Florida Supreme Court previously misinterpreted Florida's right to privacy as including a right to an abortion, and we reject this interpretation," Griffin noted. He then added that Florida's constitution has never allowed killing an "innocent and unborn" child.
DeSantis Spokeswoman, Christina Pushaw, echoed Griffin's statement, highlighting that they are "very disappointed" with the ruling vested by Cooper on Thursday.
Judge Cooper made his decision in the light of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. This decision ended the federal protection against abortion procedures.
Florida Abortion Law
The controversial Florida Abortion Law, also known as HB 5, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April. It was expected to take effect on Friday.
Under HB 5, Florida would prohibit abortion procedures at 15 weeks. Women who become pregnant as a result of rape, incest, or human trafficking, would not be exempted from the law. However, exemptions are accepted if abortion would save a pregnant woman's life, prevent serious injury, or if the fetus has a fetal abnormality.
Violators of the law could face up to five years in prison. Meanwhile, physicians and other medical practitioners who violate the law could lose their licenses and face administrative fines of up to $10,000 for each violation.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written By: Joshua Summers
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