Courts can issue injunctions when there is a showing that a defendant is about to violate a law, has violated a law in the past or is likely to violate a law in the near future. An injunction applies only to a particular group or specific individuals who are currently involved in the lawsuit. In contrast, local ordinances and federal or state statutes apply to all individuals and groups within the entity's jurisdiction. Injunctions have been issued by several California courts in response to anti-choice activities at clinics.
Injunctions can also protect against anti-choice activities at abortion providers' residences.
If anti-choice activists continue to engage in prohibited activities, the court can punish the participants for violating the injunction. California clinics have successfully held anti-choice activists accountable for violating injunctions. For technical or website issues, please contact our Webmistress .