The Candid Review: A Blog About Appeals

The Supreme Court has declined hearing on Wisconsin’s controversial abortion law. A federal appeals lawyer explains that the law entails and what the Court’s latest ruling means.

Wisconsin’s New Abortion Law
Wisconsin, like several other states, has tried to enact a law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Proponents of the law claim this is aimed at protecting women undergoing the procedure. As a Wisconsin federal appeals attorney explains, opponents of the law feel this is unnecessary to patient safety and claim the lawmakers’ ulterior motive is to force the shutdown of abortion clinics. The case sits before U.S. District Court Judge William Conley. Conley issued a stay on enforcement of the law until he could rule on the constitutionality of the law itself. That stay was appealed up the U.S. Supreme Court.

What the U.S. Supreme Court Action Means
Proponents of the law appealed the ruling preventing enforcement of the law pending appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear that appeal. The effect of this recent ruling is to keep the stay in place. In other words, this means the new abortion law can’t be enforced until Conley makes a final decision on it. In the meantime, doctors may still perform abortions in the state of Wisconsin even if they don’t have admitting privileges at a hospital. This represents a victory for groups like Planned Parenthood, at least temporarily. The law could still be struck down.

Regardless of what the lower court judge ultimately decides, federal appeals lawyers expect that ruling will be appealed by either side so the matter is far from resolved.

To speak to a qualified Wisconsin appeals lawyer who has experience with all types of appellate legal matter, contact the offices of Brownstone Law. To make an appointment, call 855.776.2773.