Legal News

'Sarah's Law' suffers from a mistaken identity

By Jason Siegel

Opponents of 'Sarah's Law' filed a lawsuit to get 'Sarah's' story removed from the state voter's guide.

The problem, they argue, is that the story in Prop. 4 is misleading -- it wouldn't have applied to the 15-year-old girl for which it's named, the Los Angeles Times reported (here).

Supporters, too, acknowledged that the measure wouldn't have stopped 'Sarah' from dying from a botched abortion, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported (here).

The measure, seeks to require minors to wait two-days before being able to get an abortion, during which time a doctor would notify the girl's parents or legal guardians.

'Sarah' had a child and was in a common-law marriage before dying of complications from an abortion.  A 15-year-old in a common law marriage isn't recognized as a minor in Texas.

Last month, supporters, who submitted a ballot argument citing 'Sarah's' death as an example of why the law is needed. They told Times that they didn't know the details until after it was submitted.

A spokesperson for Proposition 4 told the Union-Tribune that they would change their campaign materials.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on August 05, 2008 (boomark / email).