Federal Court Orders Government to Pay ACLJ’s Attorney’s Fees and Costs for Challenging Unconstitutional Law

Last month we told you about the American Center for Law & Justice’s victory in federal court on behalf of our clients, pro-life individuals who advocate for the unborn outside of abortion clinics. There, the court agreed with the arguments we presented in written briefs and at trial – that Iowa Code § 723.4(2) was unconstitutional as written and as applied to our clients.

Not only did the Court find that the challenged statute was unconstitutional, the Judge agreed with our request that the defendants should have to pay the attorney’s fees and costs the ACLJ incurred by filing and litigating the lawsuit. The Iowa Attorney General and the County Attorney for Johnson County, Iowa, have now been ordered to pay the ACLJ the full sum of those fees and costs.

This is an important decision with wide-reaching ramifications for the protection of free speech rights. This is a victory for those who advocate for pro-life issues, and for anyone who might speak on a topic that someone might find unwelcome or unpopular. As we know in today’s cultural climate, that could encompass any number of issues where strong opinions are held on opposing sides.

This decision also puts state governments on notice: when the government places limits on speech, it must do so with precision and in line with the Constitution.

And now, with the Court’s decision in our clients’ favor, they can again resume their work on behalf of the unborn and the mothers who are facing crisis pregnancies.

Thank you again for your support throughout the course of this case. The ACLJ could not do what it does – and attain the victories it wins – without your prayers and support.