California has denied Louisiana's extradition request for Dr. Remy Coeytaux, who is accused of mailing abortion medication to a Louisiana resident in October 2023. The dispute centers on so-called "shield laws" enacted by some Democratic-led states to protect out-of-state abortion providers from extradition and prosecution after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Louisiana's attorney general criticized California's refusal, but released records do not confirm that the medication recipient reported being coerced. If convicted under Louisiana law, Coeytaux could face fines and up to 50 years of "hard labor."
California Refuses Louisiana Extradition Request for Doctor Accused of Mailing Abortion Pills
Abortion rights activists demonstrate in support of women's rights on 16 July 2022, in Santa Monica, California.Photograph: Ringo Chiu/AFP/Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that the state will deny Louisiana's request to extradite Dr. Remy Coeytaux, who was indicted in Louisiana over allegations that he mailed abortion medication to a Louisiana resident in October 2023.
"Louisiana's request is denied," Newsom said in a statement. "We will not allow extremist politicians from other states to reach into California and try to punish doctors based on allegations that they provided reproductive health care services. Not today. Not ever."
What Authorities Allege
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that her office sought extradition after releasing records that allege Coeytaux, who is based in California, mailed pills to a Louisiana woman via Aid Access, an organization that facilitates access to medication abortion across state lines. Louisiana has a near-total ban on abortion, and its officials say the mailing violated state law.
Shield Laws and Interstate Conflict
Several Democratic-led states, including California and New York, have passed so-called "shield laws" since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Those statutes are intended to protect providers who prescribe or send abortion medication to out-of-state patients from extradition or prosecution by states with stricter abortion bans. Supporters say the laws preserve access to reproductive care; critics argue they exceed state authority and may be unlawful.
Statement from Louisiana: "It's appalling to see the California governor and attorney general openly admitting that they will protect an individual from being held accountable for illegal, medically unethical and dangerous conduct that led to a woman being coerced into terminating the life of her unborn child," AG Murrill said in a statement.
Notably, the documents Murrill released do not state that the Louisiana recipient told authorities she was coerced. Louisiana has separately disclosed an arrest warrant in another matter involving a woman named Rosalie Markezich, who alleges her boyfriend obtained pills through Aid Access and forced her to take them in October 2023. A spokesperson for Murrill's office declined to say whether that matter is connected to the extradition request for Coeytaux.
Possible Penalties and Previous Cases
Coeytaux is charged under a Louisiana statute that outlaws "criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs." If convicted, the law carries potential fines and a sentence of up to 50 years of "hard labor." Louisiana previously sought the extradition of a New York-based doctor, Margaret Carpenter, on similar allegations; New York's governor refused that request under New York's shield law.
The dispute highlights mounting legal and political clashes between states with protective measures for abortion providers and states that have imposed strict abortion bans. The case may lead to further legal challenges over interstate authority, shield laws, and the enforcement of state abortion statutes.
Help us improve.
