Summary
Prosecutors in some U.S. states are increasingly charging low-income women with crimes related to pregnancy, especially in states with strict abortion laws. This rise in cases follows the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the national right to an abortion, leading to debates and legal issues about fetal rights and the treatment of pregnant women.
Key Facts
- Since the Supreme Court overturned national abortion rights, at least 412 pregnant women have faced charges related to pregnancy.
- Before this decision, about 85 women per year faced such charges over 16 years.
- The Dobbs ruling in 2022 increased legal recognition of fetuses as persons in some states.
- In one case, a woman in Kentucky was charged after using abortion pills.
- Most cases in the last two years were in Oklahoma and Alabama.
- Substance use during pregnancy was the sole charge in 67% of such cases.
- Over 75% of the defendants were low-income, needing court-appointed lawyers or benefits like Medicaid.
- Recent legislative efforts in 19 states sought to grant legal rights to fetuses, but none have passed yet.
