The judge hearing the case said, “The courts of Arizona have a responsibility to attempt to harmonize all relevant laws of that state.”
ARIZONA, USA – The Arizona Court of Appeals on Friday app blocked of the Civil War-era abortion ban pending resolution of an appeal by Planned Parenthood of Arizona.
Presiding Judge Peter J. Eckerstrom wrote in court papers that “the courts of Arizona have a responsibility to attempt to harmonize all relevant laws of that state. The court further finds that the balance of hardship weighs heavily in favor of granting the stay, given the acute need of health care providers, prosecuting agencies and the public for legal clarity regarding the application of our criminal laws.”
Planned Parenthood Arizona last week sought a reversal of a Pima County Superior Court decision that lifted the injunction on the prestate abortion ban, but it was refuse.
Planned Parenthood said the court ruling allowed conflicting laws to take effect and caused immediate confusion about the status of abortion access in Arizona.
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A conference call is scheduled for Tuesday to determine whether the case should be expedited and to establish a briefing schedule, according to court documents.
Planned Parenthood Arizona in a Friday statement said in part:
Today, a three-judge panel of the Arizona Court of Appeals granted Planned Parenthood Arizona’s request for an emergency stay of the Pima County Superior Court’s Sept. 23 decision that lifted an injunction on the state’s nearly 150-year-old abortion ban. The suspension temporarily blocks enforcement of the ban while Planned Parenthood’s appeal continues, allowing abortion care to resume, effective immediately.
“While today’s decision brings temporary respite to the people of Arizona, the lingering threat of this extreme, near-total abortion ban that disregards the health care of those across the condition, including survivors of rape or incest, remains very real,” Brittany Fonteno said. , President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona.
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