Alabama Court of Civil Appeals says judge wrongly blocked minor’s abortion

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The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on Thursday overruled a lower court judge who refused to give a minor permission for an abortion despite finding she was “sufficiently mature” enough to make the decision.

Alabama law requires unemancipated minors must have the permission of her parent or guardian to have an abortion. In this case, the minor petitioned a juvenile court for a judgment waiving the requirement of parental consent to allow her to have an abortion. The juvenile court conducted a hearing and on August 16, 2017, the court entered a judgment denying the minor’s petition. She appealed.

The appellate court said the judge misapplied the law and thus reversed the decision.

“The juvenile court’s judgment is reversed, and this court hereby renders a judgment granting a statutory waiver of parental consent,” read the opinion of the Court of Civil Appeals.