NY Clerk Blocks Texas Judgment on Abortion Case

A New York court clerk has refused to enforce a Texas court's $113,000 judgment against Dr. Margaret Carpenter, a New York physician accused of prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. This decision highlights a legal conflict between Texas' restrictive abortion laws and New York's 'shield laws,' which protect abortion providers from out-of-state legal actions. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated the lawsuit, claiming Carpenter violated Texas law by prescribing medication abortion drugs to a Texas resident. New York's refusal to cooperate with Texas’ legal action underscores the growing interstate tensions following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision allowing states to ban abortion. This case, which may escalate to the Supreme Court, represents a significant test of state shield laws designed to safeguard abortion providers operating across state lines. New York Governor Kathy Hochul praised the clerk's decision, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting abortion rights.