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Joint Statement: Seven Michigan Prosecutors Pledge to Protect a Woman's Right to Choose
Michigan's anti-abortion statutes were written and passed in 1931. There were no women serving in the Michigan legislature. Those archaic statutes are unconstitutionally and dangerously vague, leaving open the potential for criminalizing doctors, nurses, anesthetists, health care providers, office receptionists - virtually anyone who either performs or assists in performing these medical procedures. Even the patient herself could face criminal liability under these statutes.
We believe those laws are in conflict with the oath we took to support the United States and Michigan Constitutions, and to act in the best interest of the health and safety of our communities. We cannot and will not support criminalizing reproductive freedom or creating unsafe, untenable situations for health care providers and those who seek abortions in our communities. Instead, we will continue to dedicate our limited resources towards the prosecution of serious crimes and the pursuit of justice for all.
Today, our Governor filed a lawsuit to guarantee the right to reproductive freedom in Michigan, and to prevent the arbitrary enforcement of those 90-year-old statutes. These statutes were held unconstitutional five decades ago, and are still unconstitutional today. We support the Governor in that effort.
We hope you will stand with us as we work to protect and serve our communities.
Respectfully,
Karen D. McDonald
Oakland County Prosecutor
Carol A. Siemon
Ingham County Prosecutor
Eli Savit
Washtenaw County Prosecutor
David Leyton
Genesee County Prosecutor
Kym L. Worthy
Wayne County Prosecutor
Matthew J. Wiese
Marquette County Prosecutor
Jeffrey S. Getting
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor
