4th Circuit upholds Va. partial-birth abortion ban- 6.24.2009
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled Wednesday to uphold the constitutionality of Virginia’s partial-birth abortion ban. The full court reversed a previous decision by a three-judge panel that determined the ban was unconstitutional.
Read more... Officials in Md. can't shake violations against young pro-life advocates- 6.4.2009
A federal judge refused Wednesday to grant motions by the Maryland State Police, Harford County, and the city of Bel Air to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of three young pro-life women. ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit last September, arguing that the women’s constitutional rights were violated by officers who arrested, jailed, shackled, and strip-searched them for sharing a peaceful pro-life message along a public street.
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Pro-life group wins victory at highest court in Slovak Republic- 6.3.2009
The highest court of the Slovak Republic ruled in favor of a pro-life group Tuesday in its lawsuit against police. Attorney Dr. Alan Bohm together with Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represented the Centre for Bio-ethical Reform Europe, which filed suit after police disrupted a peaceful pro-life rally that was held in full compliance with domestic law. The court ruled that police violated the pro-life group’s constitutional right to free speech.
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Open road for Mo. ‘Choose Life’ plates after 8th Circuit clears detour - 3.26.2009
Alliance Defense Fund attorneys secured a victory from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit over Missouri Department of Revenue officials Thursday, clearing the way for the creation of “Choose Life” specialty license plates. In the lawsuit, ADF attorneys alleged the state violated Choose Life of Missouri’s free speech rights by engaging in viewpoint discrimination when it refused to approve the specialty plate based on its objection to the pro-life message while allowing the messages of other organizations on other specialty plates.
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In Ohio, a Victory for Speech and Life - 1.13.2009
It's becoming a legal reality in many parts of the U.S. that, to win a fight for life, you must first win a fight for free speech.
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ADF attorneys successfully halt censorship of pro-life advocates in Ohio - 1.6.2009
A federal court has ruled that an Ohio town violated the First Amendment rights of pro-life advocates when police officers threatened them with arrest for engaging in pro-life speech. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Findlay on behalf of the pro-life advocates.
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Husband retains guardianship of wife over sister-in-law, securing spouse's life - 11.25.2008
A man seeking to protect his disabled wife from having her nutrition and hydration removed by his sister-in-law succeeded in having the court name him as guardian Tuesday when the sister-in-law withdrew her application for guardianship. Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Joel Kirkpatrick represents Robert Lavers, the husband of Heather Lavers.
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Court orders approval of Ariz. 'Choose Life' license plates - 11.19.2008
A federal court Wednesday ordered the Arizona License Plate Commission to approve a specialty license plate featuring the words "Choose Life." Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represent the applicants for the plates, the Arizona Life Coalition.
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Delaware woman's parents now in agreement: their daughter must live - 11.19.2008
Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement in a lawsuit that had pitted father against mother over the life of their 24-year-old daughter who suffers from severe brain injury. Because of religious conviction and heartfelt interaction with her ex-husband's family, the mother of Lauren Richardson decided to join cooperatively with Richardson's father to care for their daughter and to drop her court request to remove Richardson's feeding tube and water.
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A Victory for "Vanity" - 10.20.2008
As you drive around your home city, you see license plates. In recent years, more and more "personalized" vanity plates have become the focus of driver creativity and civic promotion. Most of you have options when it comes to choosing one. There are plates for unions, wildlife advocacy, university alumni, and even hospice care advocates. The state allows a portion of the proceeds from the sales of those plates go to the sponsoring organization. Arizona also offers many of these plates as options for groups, but until a recent court ruling, pro-life groups were left out.
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Permit requirement for pro-life signs suspended in Harford County, Md. - 10.14.08
A federal judge approved an agreement that prohibits Harford County from enforcing a permit requirement for hand-held signs which Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys are challenging in court. ADF attorneys contend the permit requirement, used against a group of pro-life advocates arrested, jailed, shackled, and/or strip searched after they held signs and shared their message along a public street in August, is unconstitutional.
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U.S. Supreme Court clears way for specialty plates featuring 'Choose Life' message - 10.7.08
The U.S. Supreme Court denied review Monday of a challenge to an Arizona specialty license plate featuring the words "Choose Life." The decision clears the way for the license plates to be offered to the public. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represent the plates' proponents, the Arizona Life Coalition.
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Alaska woman will not be starved to death - 9.9.08
An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has secured an agreement to keep a hospitalized patient's feeding tubes in place to preserve her life.
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Court rules to preserve life of Calif. woman deprived of food, water- 7.24.08
A California woman deprived of life-sustaining care, including food and water, for nearly two weeks now has a chance to live. On Tuesday, the Fresno County Superior Court ordered that Janet Rivera’s feeding tube and water be reinstated until a July 29 trial. The court will decide whether the responsibility for managing Janet’s medical care should be transferred from the Fresno County Public Guardian to Janet’s cousin, Suzanne Emrich, who is represented by Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Brian Chavez-Ochoa.
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8th Circuit: S.D. can enforce women’s “right to know” abortion law - 6.27.08
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled 7–4 Friday to lift an injunction against a South Dakota informed consent abortion law. The law requires abortionists to inform women about the nature of abortion and the risks involved before they elect to terminate their pre-born child’s life. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys authored and filed a friend-of-the-court brief defending the law on behalf of the Family Research Council.
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ADF commends signing of “Jesse’s Law” - 6.25.08
The Alliance Defense Fund is applauding Arizona’s enactment Tuesday of a bill known as “Jesse’s Law.” The new law, inspired by the amazing ordeal of Jesse Ramirez, closed a loophole in the decision-making process for patients who are physically unable to communicate their wishes regarding medical care.
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Alaska Supreme Court issues order to keep patient alive - 6.3.08
The Alaska Supreme Court granted an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney’s motion for stay and signed an order Friday that will keep Providence Hospital from removing a woman’s life-support tubes. Ending her life support could result in her death within minutes or days.
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Florida man fails to have wife’s feeding tube removed - 6.2.08
A state judge has signed an order, requested by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, to appoint a committee that will make recommendations on the health of Karen Weber. Weber is a stroke victim whose husband wants to have her feeding tube removed even though his wife made clear that she doesn’t desire to go to hospice and has communicated with family and friends.
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Coast Guard relents, allows officer to refuse vaccine from aborted baby- 5.12.08
U.S. Coast Guard officials who initially refused to excuse an officer from being injected with a vaccine derived from an aborted child have relented in the wake of a lawsuit filed on behalf of the officer by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys. The U.S. Coast Guard had refused to grant an exemption for Officer Joseph J. Healy, who is Catholic, even though it allows exemptions based on other religious beliefs.
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Judge rules Planned Parenthood clinics dispensing RU-486 must follow law- 5.9.08
A Missouri judge ruled Friday that a state law that enforces health and safety standards for surgical abortion clinics also regulates clinics that dispense the abortion-inducing drug RU-486.
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Court rejects California’s challenge to healthcare conscience rights - 3.19.08
A federal court Tuesday rejected California’s challenge to the “Weldon Amendment.” The federal statute forbids state and local governments that receive federal funds from discriminating against healthcare providers that refuse to perform or refer patients for abortions. The court sided with three groups of pro-life medical professionals and others, including the federal government, in rejecting California’s challenge.
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Calif. school relents, allows student pro-life club same privileges as other clubs- 1.29.08
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against Westmont High School officials after they agreed to allow a student pro-life club to have the same access to privileges that all other student groups on campus enjoy.
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“Choose Life” takes to the road - 1.29.08
College students across the country have returned to school. In their honor, let’s begin with a short quiz. What do these groups have in common?
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9th Circuit: denial of Ariz. ‘Choose Life’ license plates is a ‘violation of the First Amendment’ - 1.28.08
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Monday that Arizona officials violated the First Amendment rights of an Arizona pro-life group when they denied the group’s application for a specialty license plate featuring the words “Choose Life.” Attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represented the plaintiffs in the case, Arizona Life Coalition.
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Victory for ADF and ‘Choose Life’ license plate, court rules Mo. Law unconstitutional- 1.23.08
A federal court Wednesday ruled in favor of attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund defending “Choose Life” as a slogan on specialty license plates in Missouri. The court declared the state’s statute that outlines the approval process for specialty plates unconstitutional. ADF attorneys represent pro-life organization Choose Life of Missouri in the lawsuit.
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Revised sign policy ensures protection of free speech rights for Maryland pro-life advocates - 1.14.08
A group of pro-life advocates represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will no longer be threatened with fines for holding signs on a public sidewalk. As part of an agreement to resolve the lawsuit, Montgomery County, Md., officials have agreed to drop a written policy that banned holding signs and caused County officials to silence pro-life citizens.
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Va. school board: Student pro-life clubs no longer banned on high school campuses- 10.24.07
A student barred from starting a student pro-life club on a high school campus will no longer be denied official recognition. In response to a lawsuit filed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, the School Board of Stafford County will permit student pro-life clubs at high schools in the district, and the clubs will receive the same rights, benefits, and privileges as other clubs.
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ADF attorneys reach settlement with N.Y. school district affirming student’s constitutional right to express pro-life view- 10.22.07
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have reached a settlement with South Jefferson Central School District officials who had censored a New York high school senior’s pro-life message during the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. The Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, sponsored by Stand True Ministries (www.standtrue.com), is a student-led event giving students an opportunity to educate their classmates about the dangers of abortion.
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ADF-allied attorney successfully defends pro-life advocates at Minnesota Supreme Court - 7.13.07
The Minnesota Supreme Court Thursday reversed the convictions of two pro-life advocates who had been charged with creating a public nuisance and violating a city sign ordinance while engaging in pro-life speech. An ADF-allied attorney represented the two men.
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