Americans United for Life Applauds Fourth Circuit Protecting Women and Children by Upholding Virginia Partial Birth Aborti...( WASHINGTON June 25 -- In a 6-5 dec...),Health

WASHINGTON, June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a 6-5 decision in Richmond Medical Center v. Herring, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Virginia's ban on partial birth infanticide -- a law that mirrors the federal ban on partial-birth abortion.

Americans United for Life (AUL) provided litigation support to the state and filed an amicus brief supporting Virginia's law. In addition, AUL Senior Counsel Clarke Forsythe assisted the Solicitor General of the Commonwealth of Virginia with a moot court session to prepare for oral arguments in the case.

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, AUL President & CEO stated: "We are thrilled that the Fourth Circuit followed clear U.S. Supreme Court precedent and upheld Virginia's ban on partial-birth abortion -- which is more accurately called partial-birth infanticide. This ban protects not only the unborn, but also the health and welfare of women. It is a law that the vast majority of Americans are justified in supporting."

Denise Burke, AUL Vice President of Legal Affairs added: "A wealth of medical evidence demonstrates that late-term abortions -- and particularly partial-birth abortions -- can have devastating health effects, including uterine puncture or rupture, puncture of the uterine artery, permanent injury to the cervix, and risks for subsequent pregnancies. By upholding Virginia's statute, the Fourth Circuit has protected women from these grievous and very real risks."

Mailee Smith, AUL Staff Counsel, said, "We are also pleased that the Fourth Circuit has given deference to the actions of the Virginia legislature, affirming the state's significant interest in protecting women and children from the harms inherent in abortion."

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