WATCH: Jon Stewart Ridicules Alabama Law Providing Lawyers for Fetuses

Janet Allon
,
 AlterNet
and
 Janet Allon
January 16, 2015

Jon Stewart's Jessica Williams traveled to civil-rights loving Alabama for a segment on a bizarre and dangerous law that allocates state funds to provide lawyers for the fetuses of women seeking abortions. Williams plays the fool in order to highlight the absurdly backward thinking behind the law. "So, you get a call from a fetus seeking legal representation . . ." she asks a fetus lawyer. "How do you know the fetus is innocent?"

The A.C.L.U. is adamantly fighting this thinly disguised ruse to deprive women of the right to an abortion. It is especially aimed at teenagers, who already must get the consent of their parents to terminate a pregnancy. The law enables the fetus' lawyer to call the boyfriend, the boyfriend's parents, the basketball coach, whomever, to testify. The lawyer can also just run out the clock making unwanted motherhood the only choice.

All this in a state that is totally broke, and in which many poor adult defendants cannot get legal representation.

Watch:

Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.
#story_page_ below_article

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
@2021 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Don't Sit on the Sidelines of History. Join Alternet All Access and Go Ad-Free. Support Honest Journalism.

Subscribe Annually

$95 / year — Just $7.91/month

Subscribe Monthly

$1 trial

I want to Support More

$14.99 per month