Yay Marion County prosecutor!

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2022/06/24/roe-v-wade-decision-2022-indiana-democrats-abortion-rights-legislation/7722523001/

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Friday his office will not prosecute abortion-related cases if Republicans in the state legislature seek to criminalize the procedure following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that overturns abortion rights.

The pushback from Indianapolis Democrats like Mears and the Indiana Democratic Party represents yet another schism between Democrat-dominated Marion County and the Statehouse, where Republicans are in the supermajority.

With the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade case, Indiana Republicans are expected to restrict abortion access in a special legislative session next month.

Republican lawmakers have not offered specifics about what type of restrictions they might place on abortion. But just hours after the ruling, some states — such as Louisiana — were poised to pursue criminal charges against anyone who helped to terminate a pregnancy, though pregnant people themselves are exempt from prosecution.

The impending legislation sparked reaction from state and local Democrats, who are virtually powerless in the Statehouse.

Mears stressed that prosecutor and law enforcement resources should not go toward abortion-related cases.

"It should not be a priority for the prosecutor's office or law enforcement to second-guess the decision and choices made by health care professionals," Mears said. "Everybody here realizes that we have a number of challenges in Marion County. One of those challenges is not incarcerating doctors and nurses."

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears listens as Marion County Clerk, Ali Brown speaks out for women's rights during a press conference to address the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to legal and safe abortions on Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Indiana Democratic Party offices in Indianapolis. Brown shared the story of her near death birth experience and medical condition which could lead to death in the case of pregnancy.
With a supermajority of Republicans in the state legislature, however, Indianapolis Democrats are limited in what they can do in support of those seeking an abortion.

Indianapolis city officials, too, must constantly maintain a balance between supporting more progressive ideals and avoiding the ire of the state legislature — which has historically crafted pre-emptive state laws forbidding cities from taking certain actions.

The Market Street divide: Indianapolis Democrats, Statehouse Republicans clash

Indianapolis Senate Republicans have frequently tried to put a stop to Mears' decision not to prosecute simple marijuana possession, for example. Theyintroduced bills in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to appoint a special prosecutor in cases where the local prosecutor refused to prosecute certain crimes.

So far the bills have not passed. Mears said such bills are on shaky ground with the state constitution.