Attorney General Ken Paxton has responded to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) granted by the Travis County district judge, which purported to allow an abortion to proceed. In his statement, Paxton made it clear that the TRO would not protect hospitals, doctors, or anyone else from facing civil and criminal liability for violating Texas' abortion laws.
Under Texas law, individuals who violate abortion laws can face first degree felony prosecutions and civil penalties of not less than $100,000 for each violation. The TRO may temporarily enjoin actions brought by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Texas Medical Board (TMB) against Dr. Karsan and her staff, but it does not prevent private citizens from taking legal action. Additionally, the TRO does not prohibit district or county attorneys from enforcing Texas' pre-Roe abortion laws against Dr. Karsan or anyone else.
Attorney General Paxton emphasized that the TRO would expire long before the statute of limitations for violating Texas' abortion laws expires. This suggests that any potential legal consequences for violating the law could still be pursued even after the TRO is no longer in effect.
The response from Attorney General Paxton comes amidst ongoing debates and legal battles surrounding abortion rights in Texas. The granting of the TRO by the Travis County district judge had initially raised questions about the extent to which it would protect healthcare providers involved in the abortion procedure.
It is important to note that the information provided in this article is based solely on Attorney General Paxton's response to the TRO. For further details, readers can refer to the letter issued by the Attorney General's office.
The ongoing legal proceedings and differing interpretations of abortion laws continue to fuel discussions and debates across the state of Texas.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-responds-travis-county-tro