The Supreme Court didn’t act on a request to block the law, which bars the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, making it the most restrictive abortion law in effect in the U.S.
www.wsj.com
"A new Texas abortion law that bars the procedure after approximately six weeks of pregnancy took effect Wednesday, after the Supreme Court didn’t act on an emergency request by clinics and abortion-rights advocates to block it. When the court said nothing by midnight, the ban officially went into force, making it the most restrictive abortion law in effect in the U.S. The state law dictates that a physician can’t knowingly perform an abortion if there is a detectable fetal heartbeat after 6 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion-rights advocates typically challenge new restrictions before they go into effect by suing the government officials -- but lawmakers devised a measure that shifts enforcement from the state to private parties. Under the new law private parties can file civil lawsuits against any person who allegedly performs or aids a banned abortion, or who intends to do so. Under the law, a successful suit entitles the plaintiff to collect at least $10,000 in damages per abortion challenged."
One of the many good things about living in Texas is now one is able to sue any whore whom they think had an abortion, along with the doctor that helped that whore; the receptionist at the clinic -- and even the person who gave the whore a ride to the clinic -- if you want, you can sue all of them.. In fact, there are already lawsuits in the works to sue..For example, there is a lawyer in Collin County, Tx who donated to abortion rights groups; now that person is getting sued...and there is this other lawyer who represents women who were impregnated from "sexual assault" and are trying to get abortions -- not so fast...they are getting sued too....At $10,000 per abortion challenge, one can make a pretty penny or at least put these folks who are part of this abortion industry out of business and hopefully in jail -- because that is what freedom is all about.
A $10,000 bounty to turn in your friends and family sounds right on point for the authoritarian leaning Republican Party. This is a stark window into their vision of the future if given the authority to do so.
But you're really not thinking this through.
First, its awful precedent. If you can simply put a bounty on 'aiding and abetting' the exercise of constitutional rights.....then its perfectly legal for a state to say, put a $10,000 bounty on anyone who helps with a gun purchase. Or who sells ammunition.
Second, the law allows ANYONE to accuse ANYONE. You don't need evidence to force them into court to defend themselves. And they fail to show, that's summary judgment against them. No matter how frivolous the accusation, its impossible to sue the false accuser for legal costs incurred. So the potential for abuse is absolutely monstrous.
If anyone got a hold of your name, they could sue you in jurisdictions across Texas, forcing you to arrange trips to Houston, Amarillo, El Paso, Corpus, sending you running to the 4 corners of the state. And you could never recoup costs. Worse, if you fail to show for any of those suits, you automatically lose.
Its an absolutely horrible law. And one perfectly aligned with the authoritarian GOP......eager to strip people of their rights and turn those rights into crimes.
supreme.justia.com
