Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill speaks during a press conference, July 15, 2014. (Michelle Tessier, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has joined with more than 40 other elected prosecutors across the nation. They are raising concerns over the constitutionality of abortion bans.
In a statement from the group issued by Fair and Just Prosecution they say that they wish to make clear, “their collective view that prosecutors should not participate in efforts to criminalize abortions.”
Twelve attorneys general and 30 other lawyers from 24 states and the District of Columbia are the members of the group.
They argue that “the laws like the ones recently passed in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri and Ohio violate constitutional rights that have been the law of the land for nearly 50 years.” Their statement suggests that due to the vagueness of those laws recently passed there may confusion that results in prosecution for anyone involved in an abortion.
In a statement released by the District Attorney’s office, Gill says,
“Our office will not serve as an enforcement mechanism for what is a facially unconstitutional law. Especially one that will deprive somebody of their liberty. That’s our ethical duty and there is really no choice in it.”
You can read the full statement here.
This story will be updated…