Judicial Bypass for Minors
There are 37 states that currently enforce parental notification or consent laws - find out here if yours is one, or call your local Planned Parenthood. To avoid having to notify or obtain consent from parents or guardians, you must get a judicial bypass, meaning a judge will decide if you can get an abortion. Here are a few resources I’ve found on judicial bypass for minors seeking a safe, legal abortion without parental notification or consent.
Getting a judicial bypass does not cost anything, and you are entitled to a court-appointed lawyer.
- I found a lawyer in Ohio, Christine Baker, who offers free, confidential assistance.
- Texas has a program called Jane’s Due Process that ensures legal representation for pregnant minors.
- The Women’s Law Project in Philadelphia works through the court system to protect reproductive rights and other issues. You can call them for help finding a lawyer.
- Contact your state’s American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They may have a program that provides legal representation, or give referrals to lawyers.
- Contact the National Abortion Federation’s hotline (1-800-772-9100) for information and referrals in your state.
- Search your local Planned Parenthood’s website (find it here) for information on judicial bypass in your state. They may have a hotline or references for someone who can represent you.
- Be prepared to go out of your county, or even out of your state. Some judges will refuse to handle judicial bypass petitions, or to even hear the proceedings. If you need help getting to a court that will hear your petition, check out or contact the Abortion Assistance Blog or your state’s abortion fund.
I’ll keep updating this post, so any more information is much appreciated.
