Michigan's capital city is called "Lansing." After two days of testimony from abortion experts, providers and the state's chief medical officer, a Michigan judge stopped county prosecutors from implementing the 1931 ban on abortion for the foreseeable future.
The state Court of Appeals said earlier this month that county prosecutors were not covered by a May order and could enforce the prohibition.
The harm to the body of women and people capable of pregnancy in not issuing the injunction could not be more real, clear, present and dangerous to the court.
David Kallman said an appeal is planned.
Kallman said that the judge ignored all of the legal errors and problems in the case because of the abortion issue.
The restraining order was filed hours after the appeals court decision.
Republican prosecutors in three counties said they should be able to enforce the 1931 law despite the fact that a majority of prosecutors in the area said they wouldn't.
The preliminary injunction is expected to keep abortion legal until the Michigan Supreme Court or voters decide in the fall.
Cunningham found all three of the state's witnesses to be credible and dismissed testimony from the defense witnesses.
The life of the mother is the only exception to Michigan's 1931 law banning abortion. Judge Elizabeth Gleicher blocked the ban from taking effect in May.
The preliminary injunction only applied to the attorney general's office, which means that providers could be charged with a felony.
Kallman said during closing arguments that granting a preliminary injunction isn't how laws should be changed, but that allowing prosecutors to decide if the 1931 ban should be enforced would cause confusion.
Karen McDonald, the prosecutor in Oakland County, said she was relieved that everyone in the state knew that it doesn't matter where you live.
The status of abortion access in Michigan is expected to be decided by a ballot initiative that was submitted in July. The state's Board of Canvassers must approve the amendment before it can be put to a vote.
Cunningham said it was in the public's best interest to let the people of Michigan decide.
The status of abortion in Michigan is expected to have a huge impact on the election of the state's Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat.
"Absent this preliminary injunction, physicians face a very real threat of prosecution depending on where they practice."
That's right.
The Associated Press/report for America Statehouse News Initiative has a corps member named Joey Cappelletti. A program called Report for America places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
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