Edwards v. Beck: Reproductive Rights
- Filed: 07/14/2016
- Status: Victory!
- Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- Latest Update: Jul 10, 2014
Victory! In April, 2013, the ACLU, ACLU of Arkansas and the Centers for Reproductive Rights challenged in federal court a 2013 law that banned abortions after twelve weeks of pregnancy, saying it violated the right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy before viability. The federal court agreed. However, the court upheld a separate provision mandating that doctors perform an ultrasound on women seeking abortions and then inform her in writing whether the fetus has a “heartbeat,” and what the chances are of carrying a fetus of that gestational age to term.
The State appealed, and the 8th Circuit affirmed the lower court ruling. The State then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case but the Court declined, thereby allowing the prior decisions to stand.
Status: The 12-week abortion ban was overturned.
Order Granting Preliminary Injunction in Edwards v. Beck Has Been Filed!
ORDER granting plantiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction; defendant's are enjoined from enforcing or otherwise implementing Arkansas Act 301 of the 2013 Regular Session of the 89th General Assembly of Arkansas, titled the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act; plantiffs have up to and including 5/28/13 to respond to the motion to intervene submitted by Concepts of Truth Inc [20] [21] [22]. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 5/23/13.
Complaint for Edwards v. Beck: 12 Week Abortion Ban
To see a copy of our lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the 12-week abortion ban, please click here.
ACLU Statement on Arkansas Senate Passage of Most Restrictive Abortion Law in the Country
The Arkansas Senate today voted to pass a bill that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, which means that the bill will now go to Governor Mike Beebe. We are hopeful that he will veto it. (He recently vetoed a bill that banned abortion at 20 weeks, but the Arkansas legislature just overrode that veto today, giving that law immediate effect.)
Related News & Podcasts
Order Granting Preliminary Injunction in Edwards v. Beck Has Been Filed!
Complaint for Edwards v. Beck: 12 Week Abortion Ban
ACLU Statement on Arkansas Senate Passage of Most Restrictive Abortion Law in the Country
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