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WATCH: Hearing over future of Michigan's abortion ban continues

Abortion–South Carolina
Posted at 8:54 AM, Aug 18, 2022
and last updated 2022-08-18 12:53:47-04

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. — On Wednesday, a hearing began to determine the next steps in Michigan's battle over abortion rights. It will continue Thursday.

On August 1, a temporary restraining order was put in place stopping county prosecutors from criminalizing abortion under Michigan's 1931 ban.

WATCH LIVE AT 1:30 p.m.

During Wednesday's hearing, Judge Jacob Cunningham extended the temporary restraining order. He is expected to decide whether to issue a more long-term suspension of that 1931 ban.

The state appeals court said a previous decision to suspend the law applies to the Attorney General's office, but not county prosecutors.

Most county prosecutors in Michigan have said they don’t plan on enforcing the 1931 law which was invalidated by Roe v. Wade but now hangs in the balance.

However, prosecutors in Kent and Jackson counties say they can’t rule it out.

The state is seeking to keep this restraining order in place until the State Supreme Court determines if that 1931 ban is legal.

Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian testified during Wednesday's hearing, as did Dr. Lisa Harris with Michigan Medicine. One more plaintiff's witness will testify Thursday, followed by three defense witnesses.

The hearing started on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and continued until the afternoon recess. It will continue at 1:30 p.m.

WATCH: Thursday morning hearing

WATCH: Hearing over future of Michigan's abortion ban continues

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