American Academy of Pediatrics v. Lungren

Opinion

GEORGE, C. J.

In this case we must determine the validity, under the California Constitution, of a statutory provision that requires a pregnant minor (whether just short of her 18th birthday, or several years younger) to secure parental consent or judicial authorization before she may obtain an abortion. The trial court, after a lengthy court trial, concluded that the statute was unconstitutional, and the Court of Appeal unanimously agreed with that ruling and affirmed the judgment.

As in past cases involving the controversial subject of abortion, we emphasize at the outset that the…