Current:Home > FinanceEthermac|Trial canceled in North Dakota abortion ban lawsuit as judge ponders dismissal -Wealthify
Ethermac|Trial canceled in North Dakota abortion ban lawsuit as judge ponders dismissal
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-10 19:09:52
BISMARCK,Ethermac N.D. (AP) — A trial looming in a lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s abortion ban was canceled Monday as the judge in the case weighs whether to throw out the lawsuit. It was not immediately clear why the trial was canceled.
State District Judge Bruce Romanick issued a notice to parties regarding trial saying the Aug. 26-30 trial is canceled and will be removed from the calendar. The notice comes nearly a week after the state and plaintiffs, who include the formerly sole abortion clinic in North Dakota, made their pitches to the judge as to why he should dismiss the two-year-old case, or continue to trial.
Romanick’s notice said he will issue “full findings on summary judgment and/or a new notice of trial as soon as possible following this Notice.” He also stayed pending trial deadlines for various court filings until further notice.
A spokesperson for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents the plaintiffs, said their side did not immediately know anything beyond the notice.
North Dakota outlaws abortion as a felony crime for people who perform the procedure, but with exceptions to prevent the mother’s death or a “serious health risk” to her, as well as for cases of rape or incest within the first six weeks.
The plaintiffs alleged the abortion ban violates the state constitution because it is unconstitutionally vague about its exceptions for doctors and that its health exception is too narrow. They wanted the trial to proceed.
The Associated Press sent a text message to North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley.
The state had motioned for summary judgment to dismiss the complaint in the lawsuit originally brought in 2022 by the Red River Women’s Clinic. Special Assistant Attorney General Dan Gaustad said in court last week that the plaintiffs’ case is built on hypotheticals, that the clinic and its medical director — now in Minnesota — lack standing, and that a trial would not make a difference.
The Red River Women’s Clinic filed the original lawsuit against the state’s now-repealed trigger ban, soon after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. The clinic afterward moved from Fargo, North Dakota, to neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota. In 2023, North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature revised the state’s abortion laws. Soon after that, the clinic, joined by doctors in obstetrics, gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, filed an amended complaint.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
- North Dakota judge to decide whether to temporarily block part of abortion law that limits doctors
- Shohei Ohtani is the AP Male Athlete of the Year for the 2nd time in 3 years
- Hungary’s Orbán says he agreed to a future meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Ex-NBA player allegedly admitted to fatally strangling woman in Las Vegas, court documents show
- A US neurosurgeon's anguish: His family trapped in Gaza is 'barely staying alive'
- ‘You are the father!’ Maury Povich declares to Denver Zoo orangutan
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Kamala Harris to embark on reproductive freedoms tour as Biden campaign makes abortion a central issue
Ranking
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Toyota recalls 1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles because air bag may not deploy properly
- Hardy Lloyd sentenced to federal prison for threatening witnesses and jurors during Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial
- Octavia Spencer, Keke Palmer and More Stars Support Taraji P. Henson’s Pay Inequality Comments
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- The Czech central bank cuts key interest rate for the first time since June 2022 to help economy
- Oprah identifies this as 'the thing that really matters' and it's not fame or fortune
- Two county officials in Arizona plead not guilty to charges for delaying 2022 election certification
Recommendation
Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
Photos show winter solstice traditions around the world as celebrations mark 2023's shortest day
Albania’s parliament lifts the legal immunity of former prime minister Sali Berisha
'Not suitable' special from 'South Park' spoofs online influencers, Logan Paul and more
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
From fugitive to shackled prisoner, ‘Fat Leonard’ lands back in US court and could face more charges
The 'Yellowstone' effect on Montana
A wildcat strike shuts down English Channel rail services, causing misery for Christmas travelers