MADISON (WKOW) -- Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski plans to appeal a decision by Dane County Judge Diane Schlipper reaffirming that Wisconsin's 1849 law does not ban consensual abortions.
Schlipper's ruling was announced Tuesday night. She reaffirmed her July ruling that Wisconsin state law allows abortions.
In Wisconsin's most recent election cycle, abortion access was a major issue to voters as conservative lawmakers interpreted an 1849 law as an abortion ban. However, Schlipper ruled the law is a ban on feticide, not abortion.
Umanski said Wednesday he plans to appeal Schlipper's decision. He released the following statement to 27 News:
"As I have previously stated, I believe that, properly interpreted, the statute at issue prohibits performing abortions (including consensual abortions) unless the exception for abortions necessary to save the life of the mother applies.
"The Dane County Circuit Court has held otherwise, and I am obligated to comply with that ruling unless the decision is stayed pending appeal or ultimately reversed. To be clear, I disagree with and intend to appeal the decision.
"In my view, the statute plainly applies to abortions and, while it may be that the citizens of the State of Wisconsin would be better served by a different statute, I do not believe it is my job or the role of the courts to make that determination. It is an issue for the Legislature and the governor to resolve."
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