Criminal Prosecution of Self-Managed Abortion Amicus Brief

Amici are healthcare professionals, researchers, attorneys, and advocates in the field of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice united in the belief that no one should be criminalized for having an abortion or for experiencing a pregnancy loss.

The brief argues that Act 620 will contribute to the criminalization of people who have abortions by increasing stigma and creating a false aura of illegality around abortion.

Act 620 will also contribute to criminalization by decreasing clinic access in Louisiana, pushing people to self-manage abortion.

People who self-manage abortion risk being criminally punished, in spite of their constitutionally-protected abortion right, and even though self-management of abortion can be safe and effective.

The increased risk of criminalization that Act 620 imposes would fall disproportionately on people of color.

Perkins Coie LLP is pro bono counsel.