Media, PA – Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer issued the following statement:
“Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for nearly 50 years. Recently, a draft of a Supreme Court opinion has been leaked to the public which indicates that the Court may be prepared to overturn that decision, and with it, 50 years of precedent. As a prosecutor and as the chief law enforcement official in Delaware County, I want to state clearly and unequivocally that I will not use the power of my office to criminalize a woman’s personal healthcare decisions.
In October 2020 I was proud to join a joint statement from elected prosecutors from all across the United States. In that statement we made clear, no matter our own personal or moral views on the issue of abortion, that our commitment to not prosecute women who obtain abortions and health care professionals who provide treatment is not predicated on the opinion of the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade. Rather, it is based upon our obligation as prosecutors to use our discretion and the power of our office in furtherance of policies that protect the well-being and safety of all members of our community. Using our discretion in furtherance of laws that create untenable choices for women and healthcare providers and erode trust in the justice system is inconsistent with our oath and our duty. I remain committed to working in support of laws that protect access to reproductive healthcare. Equitable access to health services – not just in Pennsylvania but across our nation – helps ensure the rights and well-being of every woman, and protects our families and our communities. Supporting public health is critical to ensuring public safety, and it is, and will remain, a priority of my office.”
Contact: Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429