• Press Release - June 28, 2000
• Statement of LeRoy Carhart, MD.
• Supreme Court Decision (PDF)
• Court Documents Including Amicus Briefs
• Case Profile

Background Information

SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN NEBRASKA ABORTION BAN

On June 28, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Nebraska abortion ban, similar to the Federal Abortion Ban, finding it an unconstitutional violation of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that guaranteed women's right to choose abortion 27 years ago. The Court's decision in Stenberg v. Carhart exposed so-called "partial-birth abortion" bans for what they are: extreme and deceptive attempts to outlaw abortion--even as early as 12-15 weeks of pregnancy--that jeopardize women's health. The Court's decision has rendered similar bans in over 30 states and Congress unconstitutional or unenforceable.

COURT DOCUMENTS:

• Stenberg v. Carhart, 192 F 3d 1142 (8th Cir. 1999), 120 S.Ct.2597(2000) (U.S. Supreme Court)

  • 6/28/00 - THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISION: Nebraska Abortion Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
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    • Press Release
    
    
  • 3/29/00 - The Center's brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing the merits of the case
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    • Press Release
    
    
  • 3/29/00 - "Friend of the Court" briefs in support of the Center's petition.
    
    Submitted by the United States Solicitor General
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    Submitted by members of the United States Congress
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    Submitted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Women's Association, National Abortion Federation, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, and the American Nurses Association.
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      *please note: this is a large file that may take some time to download
    Submitted by 75 organizations committed to women's equality
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    Submitted by the American Civil Liberties Union
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    Submitted by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
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    Submitted by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)
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    Submitted by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America
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    Submitted by the State of New York, joined by the States of Maine, Oregon and Vermont
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  • 2/28/00 - Nebraska's brief to the U.S. Supreme Court
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    • Press Release
    
    
  • 2/28/00 - Members of Congress' Amicus Brief in support of Nebraska
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  • 12/15/99 - The Center's Petition in Opposition to Nebraska's Request for Supreme Court Review of the State's "Partial-Birth Abortion" Ban
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    • Press Release
    
    
  • 11/15/99 - Nebraska's Petition to the U.S. Supreme Court Requesting Review of the Nebraska "Partial-Birth Abortion" Ban Following the Decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that Struck Down the Ban.
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  • 9/24/99 - Decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Striking Down Nebraska's "Partial-Birth Abortion" ban.
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    • Press Release
    
    
  • 6/9/97 - Nebraska Bill Banning So-Called "Partial-Birth Abortion." Overturned by the Eighth Circuit Court; to be Reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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