ALBANY, N.Y. — On Thursday, New York denied a request from Louisiana to extradite a doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to a minor, setting the stage for a legal confrontation regarding protections for physicians prescribing these medications in states with restrictive laws.
New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, announced that she would not comply with the extradition order from Louisiana, following charges that the doctor had violated the state’s stringent anti-abortion regulations. “I will not be signing an extradition order that came from the governor of Louisiana,” Hochul declared during a press briefing in Manhattan. “Not now, not ever.”
Additionally, Hochul indicated she has issued a directive to law enforcement agencies in New York, instructing them not to assist with any out-of-state warrants tied to such charges.
The situation concerning Dr. Maggie Carpenter, who practices in New York, marks a significant event as it appears to be the first case of criminal prosecution against a doctor for simply prescribing abortion pills to individuals in another state.
Abortion pills have emerged as the predominant method of abortion in the United States and have become a focal point in ongoing political and legal discussions surrounding abortion access, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The conflict between New York and Louisiana regarding Dr. Carpenter may lead to a legal battle that could assess the viability of New York’s shield law, designed to provide legal safeguards for physicians prescribing abortion medication in states with strict prohibitions or limitations. Similar legislative measures exist in other states controlled by Democrats.
In Louisiana, prosecutors from West Baton Rouge Parish have indicted Carpenter on counts that allege she breached the state’s almost total ban on abortion, which imposes severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for physicians found guilty of performing abortions, including via pills.
Lousiana officials reported that the minor who received the pills experienced a medical crisis and required hospitalization, prompting further investigation. The girl’s mother has also been charged and subsequently surrendered to law enforcement.
In a video message released on Thursday, Louisiana’s Republican Governor Jeff Landry asserted, “There is only one right answer in this situation, and it is that the doctor must face extradition to Louisiana where she can stand trial and justice will be served.” Landry’s office has yet to respond to inquiries following Hochul’s refusal to grant the extradition request.
Carpenter faced similar legal troubles when she was sued by the Texas attorney general last year based on comparable allegations, although that case did not involve criminal indictments.
