- JUDICIAL CONSENT FOR MINORS SEEKING ABORTION HOW TO
- JUDICIAL CONSENT FOR MINORS SEEKING ABORTION FREE
The court describes maturity as “not solely a matter of social skills, level of intelligence or verbal skills.” The court has determined that maturity “calls for experience, perspective, and judgment.”Įxamples of Experience the court may consider: Option 1: Prove you are sufficiently mature and well-informed to decide whether to have an abortion. There are several options you and your lawyer can choose to prove your case. You and your lawyer need to present “clear and convincing” evidence to prove the judge should grant your request for a judicial bypass.
JUDICIAL CONSENT FOR MINORS SEEKING ABORTION FREE
If you go to the hearing and have not yet been assigned a lawyer, ask the judge to assign you one right away because the law says you get a free lawyer to help with your case. After you file the petition to get a judicial bypass order, there will be a hearing scheduled. You don’t have to worry about typing it up or making it look fancy but do your best to make it easy to read your handwriting. You do not have to file in the county where you live. It is important to note that you can file the petition in any county in Nebraska.
Nebraska law also requires that every courthouse have this form available and displayed in the open so that you don’t have to ask anyone for it.įiling the petition means filling out the form and returning it to the clerk of the court either by mailing it in, dropping it off, or faxing it. The first step in getting a judicial bypass order is filing a “Petition for Waiver of Parental Consent.” Although the process for getting a judicial bypass order is designed to work quickly, it can take longer than you planned, so it is best to start the process as soon as possible. What's a Judicial Bypass?Ī judicial bypass is a court order that allows you to have an abortion without getting permission from a parent or guardian. The most common exception is called a “judicial bypass. However, laws like this must allow for an exception to the general rule. If you are 17 or younger, many states, including Nebraska, will require you to get consent (permission) in writing from at least one parent or guardian before you can have an abortion. If you are 18 or older, you don’t have to tell anyone about your decision or get anyone’s permission. Most young women involve their parents or guardians in their decision to get an abortion, but you may not be able to involve them or you may choose not to involve them. In many states, people under 18 don’t need a parent or guardian’s permission to access a range of sensitive health care services, yet those minors seeking safe abortion care are singled out under the law. Young people need private and safe reproductive and sexual health services – including access to abortion care. Whatever option you choose, it is important to get medical care as soon as possible. These places are sometimes called “crisis pregnancy centers.” They may not give you medically accurate information and may pressure you into choosing an option you are uncomfortable with. Some places that offer pregnancy counseling may seem like all-option clinics, but are actually against abortion. You should do your own research about where to go for counseling. The counselor or provider can give you non-judgmental, medically accurate information about all of your options. If you aren’t sure what option is best for you, you should discuss it with a trained “all options” counselor or medical provider.
JUDICIAL CONSENT FOR MINORS SEEKING ABORTION HOW TO
If you want to talk to your parents, but need tips on how to bring up the topic, you can find them here. To decide what option is best for you, you may choose to talk with your parents, relatives, friends, or a religious leader.
If you are pregnant, you have these options: I’m Pregnant…What are my options and how do I make a decision?