Georgia Judge McBurney Strikes Down Six-Week Abortion Ban as Unconstitutional

Sep 30, 2024, 08:00 PM

A Georgia state court has struck down the state's six-week abortion ban, ruling it unconstitutional under the Georgia Constitution's right to privacy. The decision by Fulton County Superior Judge Robert McBurney restores the legality of abortion in Georgia up to approximately 22 weeks of pregnancy, allowing clinics to resume essential care in the state. The judge's order reverses the 2019 law that took effect in July 2022 following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hailed the ruling as a victory for the right to abortion. The ban had been a focal point after two pregnant patients, Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, died due to restricted access to essential medical treatment.