Current:Home > InvestTrial canceled in North Dakota abortion ban lawsuit as judge ponders dismissal -Aspire Money Growth
Trial canceled in North Dakota abortion ban lawsuit as judge ponders dismissal
View
Date:2025-04-12 04:23:12
BISMARCK, 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The Red River Women’s Clinic filed the original lawsuit against the state’s now-repealed trigger ban, soon after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.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! (2)
Related
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- 'Just so excited man': Chicago Cubs thrilled about return of free agent Cody Bellinger
- Eagles’ Don Henley quizzed at lyrics trial about time a naked 16-year-old girl overdosed at his home
- New York Democrats reject bipartisan congressional map, will draw their own
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- US sues to block merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying it could push prices higher
- Scientists discover 240-million-year-old dinosaur that resembles a mythical Chinese dragon
- Supreme Court to hear challenges to Texas, Florida social media laws
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Magnitude 4.9 earthquake shakes Idaho, but no injuries reported
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Primary apathy in Michigan: Democrats, GOP struggle as supporters mull whether to even vote
- Mother of missing Wisconsin boy, man her son was staying with charged with child neglect
- Air Force member has died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in DC
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- How To Get Expensive-Looking Glass Hair on a Budget With Hacks Starting at Just $7
- Bill supporting development of nuclear energy powers to pass in Kentucky Senate
- Air Force member in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington
Recommendation
Could your smelly farts help science?
Dishy-yet-earnest, 'Cocktails' revisits the making of 'Virginia Woolf'
Florida Man Games: See photos of the the wacky competitions inspired by the headlines
Israel plans to build thousands more West Bank settlement homes after shooting attack, official says
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Supreme Court hears social media cases that could reshape how Americans interact online
Los Angeles Clippers reveal rebranded logo, uniforms to be worn starting 2024-25 season
Former NFL star Richard Sherman’s bail set at $5,000 following arrest for suspicion of DUI