Associated Press
FLORENCE, Ala. — A federal judge is considering a lawsuit filed by an Alabama inmate who wants out of jail temporarily so she can get an abortion.
U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon scheduled an emergency hearing on the request for Monday afternoon in Huntsville.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Monday on behalf of a female inmate identified only as Jane Doe. She’s in the Lauderdale County jail.
The suit against Sheriff Rick Singleton asks that the woman be given a jail furlough or supervised transportation to Huntsville for the abortion.
Singleton says a court order is required for any elective surgery. But the ACLU says the woman shouldn’t have to go to court since abortion is a legal right.
The lawsuit says the inmate was pregnant before she went to jail.