In a historic moment, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge certified that the United States Supreme Court has overruled Roe v. Wade. Attorney General Rutledge’s certification puts an end to the tragedy of abortion in Arkansas. The only exception under Arkansas law is a procedure to save the life of the mother.
In accordance with Act 180 of 2019, Attorney General Rutledge reviewed the Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and determined that it overrules the central holding of Roe v. Wade. Consistent with today’s opinion, Attorney General Rutledge’s certification reaffirms the state’s authority to protect unborn life. Through the efforts of the Attorney General in collaboration with the General Assembly, Arkansas has enacted and defended laws that prohibit elective abortion, reaffirming Arkansas’s status as the most prolife state in the nation.
“Today the prolife movement is victorious,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “I have a long history of fighting for the unborn, and it is my greatest honor to officially end abortion in Arkansas. Roe was wrong on the day it was decided, and today, we can protect every innocent life in Arkansas.”
The official certification states, “Pursuant to Act 180 of 2019, I hereby certify that the United States Supreme Court has overruled ‘the central holding of Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), reaffirmed by Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992).’ Therefore, effective immediately, any person who ‘purposely perform[s] or attempt[s] to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency’ will be guilty of ‘an unclassified felony with a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or imprisonment not to exceed ten (10) years, or both.’ Ark. Code Ann. 5-61-304(a)-(b).”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization can be read here: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/ARAG/2022/06/24/file_attachments/2193850/Dobbs.pdf