On Friday, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued the following statement on the Dobbs ruling. She said this ruling does not and will not change your rights here in California. Rather, it now makes California one of many states that will continue to lead the fight for reproductive freedom and human rights.
Here is her statement:
“Today, California is now a leader in protecting hard-won-rights-after a fundamental right was taken away by The Supreme Court of the United States.
For many citizens, the high court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is a cruel affront to our Constitution and our liberties.
The 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has stripped the rights of women to make reproductive decisions free from government interference in many states.
Thankfully, our lawmakers in Sacramento anticipated the Supreme Court’s decision and are taking legal steps to ensure California remains a sanctuary of reproductive freedom.
As the elected District Attorney of Contra Costa County, I stand with over 80 elected prosecutors in the US who are committed to protecting a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices.
As part of that commitment, I will not pursue charges against anyone who seeks abortion in Contra Costa County – no matter what state they reside in.
To be leaders in reproductive freedom, our country and our state must never stop in protecting human rights and never stop seeking Justice.”
Becton, along with 83 other District Attorney’s across the nation, have committed to refuse to prosecute those who seek, assist in, or provide abortions. She signed a letter established by Fair and Just Prosecution, which states that prosecutors have a responsibility to refrain from using limited criminal legal system resources to criminalize personal medical decisions
According to the letter:
“Not all of us agree on a personal or moral level on the issue of abortion. But we stand together in our firm belief that prosecutors have a responsibility to refrain from using limited criminal legal system resources to criminalize personal medical decisions. As such, we decline to use our offices’ resources to criminalize reproductive health decisions and commit to exercise our well-settled discretion and refrain from prosecuting those who seek, provide, or support abortions.”
Other local DA’s on the letter include Chesa Boudin (City and County of San Francisco), Nancy O’Malley (Alameda County), Jeff Rosen (Santa Clara County)
Other Articles of Interest:
6 comments
Great. How about prosecuting thieves?
Hell it’s been known that you don’t prosecute criminals anyway. Status quo.
This is, of course, political pandering. The real issue here is not the issue of abortion. It is that they are asserting that its not only acceptable but somehow “noble” for them to fail to enforce state laws that they personally disagree with.
That’s a dangerous and unwarranted assertion. Would you want to elect a president who, when asked to take the oath of office, says “I swear to do my constitutional duty when it suits me”? Voters should remember this come future elections.
Good luck CA voters remembering anything. The last election has proven that CA voters are the dumbest in the country, at least the majority of them.
Congratulations for not prosecuting activities that aren’t in violation of State Law, and for not prosecuting activities that are against California Law.
Wow how brave of you to commit to not prosecuting something that is legal here anyway. Diane, I am still waiting for the press release where you announce you caught literally *anyone* who looted Nordstrom 6 months ago. Or anyone who robbed Sun Valley Mall (multiple incidents). Or anyone who shot anyone on a freeway. Lets see that press release.
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