Story perspectives

Conservative States Decline to Prosecute Women in Abortions

4/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Conservative states indicate they will not prosecute women for abortions, labeling them "second victims".
Lizelle Gonzalez's case reveals prosecutors targeting women often face no repercussions.
After taking misoprostol at 19 weeks, Gonzalez was arrested despite Texas law prohibiting such prosecutions.
Her civil-rights lawsuit aims to challenge this, while qualified immunity complicates her case.
A judge dismissed her claims, underscoring the difficulty in holding officials accountable.

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Story summary

Conservative states indicate they will not prosecute women for abortions, labeling them "second victims".
Lizelle Gonzalez's case reveals prosecutors targeting women often face no repercussions.
After taking misoprostol at 19 weeks, Gonzalez was arrested despite Texas law prohibiting such prosecutions.
Her civil-rights lawsuit aims to challenge this, while qualified immunity complicates her case.
A judge dismissed her claims, underscoring the difficulty in holding officials accountable.