7 Georgia DAs say they will not prosecute 'those who seek, provide or support abortions'
Roe v. Wade’s repeal may result in sweeping legal changes across the U.S., but several of Georgia's district attorneys on Friday took a stand against it.
In a statement distributed by Fair and Just Prosecution, 84 elected prosecutors nationwide, including seven in Georgia, said they would not use their offices’ resources to criminalize reproductive health decisions and won't prosecute those who seek, provide or support abortions.
“As elected prosecutors, ministers of justice, and leaders in our communities, we cannot stand by and allow members of our community to live in fear of the ramifications of this deeply troubling decision,” the statement noted, addressing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Roe v. Wade on Friday.
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In Augusta, Athens and Savannah
Chatham County DA Shaleena Cook-Jones spoke exclusively to the Savannah Morning News following an impassioned speech at a rally Friday evening.
“I plan to exercise my prosecutorial discretion to prosecute those laws and offenses that pose the greatest risk to public safety and public health," Jones said. "So, for example, we need to be focusing on serious violent crime, ending gun violence and gang violence."
Abortions are not included in those categories, she said.
“I fight violent gangs who kill children in the street. I fight abusive parents who put their kids in the hospital. I fight child molesters who prey on our children," Augusta DA Jared Williams noted in a news release. "... I will not expend our limited resources to prosecute women and their doctors for personal healthcare decisions.”
Concerned with a "potential ripple effect," Athens' Western Judicial Circuit DA Deborah Gonzalez echoed Williams' sentiment.
“I will not be complacent in a system attempting to strip away the rights of American citizens," she noted in a released statement.
Those comments from local district attorneys seemed to foreshadow attempts at a state level to quickly criminalize the actions of abortion seekers and providers.
Renewed interest in 'heartbeat bill' in Georgia
In a lengthy Facebook post, DeKalb County DA Sherry Boston detailed her thoughts on H.B. 481, otherwise known as Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill," and potential ramifications of it. The bill bans abortion as soon as heartbeat activity is detected – typically six weeks into a pregnancy and before many people know they are pregnant.
Originally set to take effect in 2020, H.B. 481 was struck down as unconstitutional. The state filed an appeal in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, where it has languished. In a tweet Friday afternoon, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced his office filed a notice requesting the 11th Circuit Court reverse the decision and allow the law to take effect. Should it take effect, the bill would allow for the criminalization of people who seek abortions.
"It is my contention that law enforcement and prosecutors should not be thrust into this health space, regardless of the legislation on the books," Boston said, before noting she will not prosecute people believed to be in violation of HB 481. "I believe it is a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her own body and medical care, including, but not limited to, obtaining an abortion."
Other Georgia DA’s in the nationwide statement include Patsy Austin-Gatson from the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit, former DA David Cooke from the Macon Judicial Circuit and Dalia Racine from Douglas County.