Seal________________________________________________________________________
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
June 30, 2022
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
*PRESS OFFICE: (512) 463-2050*
[email protected]
?
*?*
*AG Paxton Files Emergency Motion with Texas Supreme Court in Support of Pre-Roe Statutes Barring Abortions?
*
?
AUSTIN ?This week Attorney General Paxton asked the Supreme Court of Texas to vacate a?temporary restraining order blocking enforcement Texas?s pre-"Roe "criminal prohibitions on elective abortion. A Harris County district court previously issued the restraining order at the request of a group of abortion clinics that wish to immediately violate these criminal prohibitions by performing criminal abortions up until the Human Life Protection Act of 2021 takes effect a few weeks from now.?
?
The Texas Legislature has never repealed the State?s longstanding criminal laws that prohibit abortion, unless necessary to save the life of the mother. The United States Supreme Court?s erroneous decision in "Roe v. Wade" prevented Texas from enforcing these laws for many decades. But lack of enforcement does not remove the provisions from Texas law. Now that the Supreme Court has overruled "Roe v. Wade "in "Dobbs v. Jackson Women?s Health", Texas law against abortion can be enforced. Because the plaintiff abortion clinics intend to immediately begin performing criminal abortions under cover of the temporary restraining order?and some may have already done so?the Attorney General sought emergency relief from the Texas Supreme Court.?
?
?The trial court was wrong to enjoin enforcement of Texas?s longstanding prohibitions on elective abortion,? said Attorney General Paxton, ?Let there be no mistake: the lower court?s unlawful order does not immunize criminal conduct, which can be punished at a later date once the temporary restraining order is lifted. My office will not hesitate to act in defense of unborn Texans put in jeopardy by plaintiffs? wrongful actions and the trial court?s erroneous order.? ?
?
Texas requested an?immediate stay of the temporary restraining order. Evidently undeterred by future criminal punishment and civil liability, the plaintiff abortion clinics say that they intend to violate Texas law under cover of the temporary restraining order. Once an abortion occurs, nothing can restore the unborn child?s life; prosecuting the abortionist later is no substitute. ?That irreparable loss necessitates th[e] Court?s immediate action,? the petition explains. ?
?
To read SCOTEX Mandamus click here. [ [link removed] ]
To read SCOTEX Motion to Stay click here. [ [link removed] ]
?
? ?
###
Stay Connected with Office of Texas Attorney General on
Facebook [ [link removed] ]?-?Twitter [ [link removed] ]?-?Instagram [ [link removed] ]?-?Email [ [link removed] ]
?Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].
________________________________________________________________________
This email was sent to
[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Texas Attorney General ?300 W. 15th Street?? Austin, TX?78701 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
