By North Dakota Right to Life
Yesterday, Judge Bruce Romanick ruled that women have a right to an abortion under North Dakota’s state constitution, reopening abortions in the state. His ruling has been met with criticism for its reliance on legal jargon that many believe skirts around the actual law. Critics argue that his summary judgment is more about personal opinion than legal reasoning.
The case originated from a lawsuit by the Red River Women’s Clinic, formerly based in Fargo, which argued that women have a right to obtain an abortion for mental health reasons. The suit was still in the preliminary phase, without a full court hearing, yet Romanick chose to issue a summary judgment that overturns existing state law.
His ruling is criticized for relying heavily on personal opinions and unconventional legal theories, rather than established law. This decision is seen by some as an overreach by Judge Romanick, who is perceived as acting more like a policymaker than a judge.
North Dakota Right to Life remains committed to supporting mothers and valuing all life from conception to natural death, a principle that has been central to the state since its inception.