Prolifers win first round in challenge to Arizona law which bans late-term abortions (UPDATED)

In a decision which has pro-abortion groups reeling, U.S. District Judge James Teilborg ruled that an Arizona law which prohibits abortions after 20 weeks is constitutional. The law is set to take effect on Thursday and pro-abortion groups plan on filing an emergency appeal. Teilborg also noted Arizona had provided "substantial and well-documented" evidence that an unborn child could feel pain by at least 20 weeks.

The ruling marked a stinging legal defeat for abortion-rights advocates who cited the Arizona law as the most extreme example of late-term abortion prohibitions enacted in more than half a dozen states, and they vowed to immediately appeal the decision.

U.S. District Judge James Teilborg ruled that the measure, passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature and signed into law in April by Republican Governor Jan Brewer, was consistent with the standards that federal courts have set on limits to late-term abortions.....

Teilborg said Arizona's law "does not impose a substantial obstacle" to abortions generally and that Arizona had the right to enact such a measure.

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UPDATE: On August 1, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction which delays the law from going into effect until after the case is argued.

Under the two-page order issued by the appeals court, attorneys have until mid-October to present their briefs, and then the case will be placed on the first available argument calendar for a hearing.

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