The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says Arizona’s abortion laws are still unclear, even though a Pima County Superior Court judge has ruled that the state’s near-total abortion ban can go back into effect.
In a recorded statement released on Facebook Tuesday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the ruling did not resolve the question of which law, among Arizona’s multiple abortion statutes, should now apply.
She said her office has not received any cases related to abortion since the ruling came out.
“In the event we do receive a submittal, if further guidance has not been provided by the courts or the legislature by that time, my office will seek guidance from the court before taking any action,” Mitchell said.
Arizona's 1860s abortion ban makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, but Mitchell suggested she would consider exceptions in those cases.
“I will not revictimize victims of rape, incest or molestation, I’ve spent my career defending people that have suffered those crimes," Mitchell said.
Mitchell is currently running as the Republican candidate for Maricopa County attorney. Her Democratic opponent, Julie Gunnigle, has made reproductive rights central to her campaign. Gunnigle has said she would not use resources of the County Attorney's Office to prosecute abortion providers if she is elected.